Asphyx - Deathhammer

Already, within three months, 2012 has been a high year for metal, with many great quality releases across the scene, and it makes me excited to see the way the scene is developing and optimistic about its future. Like many other metal releases of the twenty-first century, Deathhammer is special because it does not break serious ground, but slowly and carefully shaves back old styles to create something that respects its foundations and does not fall into the folly of bravery and pretentiousness, and also something that focuses simply on writing music that is good. Some (I) would argue that these kind of developments in the scene are not necessarily regressive but have the ability even more progressive than, say for example, something like making a Nepalese gurkha-themed metal band or recording the ambience of claustrophobia while in an ancient diving bell at the bottom of the ocean.

Asphyx are a band who I think have been showing unrealized potential for a long time. It seemed like through three disbandments and many lineup changes that Asphyx were struggling to release an album that actually, well, yes, hit like a hammer. A Deathhammer, to be precise – a great name for a great album. It’s not that earlier Asphyx albums were not good, it was quality metal, but they were lacking in terms of production and consistency. Asphyx showed a stronger brand of their death/doom/thrash style on the2009’s Death… The Brutal Way, which at least showed proper production quality and some deadly riffage, but it ultimately turned out to be one of the albums that peters steadily off in quality from track to track, with the best material remaining at the start of the album. Deathhammer, however, was the real leap for Asphyx. Production values are flawless and musicianship shows synchronized chemistry; the guitar tone thick and meaty and the songs very memorable, belting out dark death/thrash crackers and slow-grooving doom/stoner epics. The poor consistency of song-quality has also been ammended – every track on Deathhammer is a surefire win. Even the cover art is better than on their other albums, showing some kind of dark cthulonic tome. There is nothing new about the style that Asphyx play, but the song quality really is a cut above. Asphyx have refined their style over many years, and their experience shows. This is quality, old-school metal and one of the year’s finest releases so far.

In short: Great album that captures the old school spirit of metal and provides for 47 sweet minutes of unstoppable headbanging.

Standout tracks: Deathhammer, Der Landser

Rating: 9.5