Kraanium - Post Mortal Coital Fixation

Around 2008 was my first experience with Kraanium. At first, I was put off by the name. It just seemed like it was nu metal with that name. The music certainly was not. It was straight up US styled slamming brutal death. From Oslo, Norway of all places. I can't think of another slam band from there. If there is more, they're certainly following these guy's lead.

The band's first full length, Ten Acts of Sickening Perversity, was exactly as the title suggested. Just pure sick slam. It wasn't anything amazing, but was solid and had some excellent riffs. In 2009 they followed it up with The Art of Female Sodomy. This showed some growth, but the vocals weren't as strong in my opinion. Now in 2012, they're back with their third outing, Post Mortal Coital Fixation.

Upon many listens, I have to say this is without a doubt their strongest yet. The vocals are the strongest they've ever been. It is hard hitting on all fronts. A lot of the riffs are straight up MEAN and often incorporate some nasty beatdowns. On top of all of that, it's plain catchy. With slam like this, I never look for the wheel to be reinvented. I just look for well written songs that get my head banging and stick in my head. It's a caveman, knuckle dragging good time and easily their most realized release to date. This is simplicity at it's best. I don't mean to use simplicity in a demeaning way by any means. I don't want crazy technicality on a release like this. It has EVERYTHING I look for in a slamming death metal release.

There is a confusing part of this album. A cover of an Abominable Putridity song. It seems weird to me to cover a song that was released in 2007, the band is still active, and just put out a new album this year. They also did it with Waking the Cadaver on their first album. Perhaps it's just their thing to do and a way to pay tribute to their influences. For me, I find it a touch odd. I want to think of the band I'm listening to, not other bands I like. It's a bit a detracting ending for an excellent album.

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