The End Records is quickly becoming a legendary label among heavy music fans, churning out an endless torrent of discs from the extreme musical believe-it-or-nots. But every once in awhile, it seems The End's talent scouts will bring us something more familiar, releasing an album that's easier to digest quickly. The Swedish five-piece LAETHORA is their latest fastball down the middle. Although the album artwork looks like a tropical flower at first glance, this is no dainty affair of musical froo-froo.

LAETHORA plays unadorned, brutal death metal of the ENTOMBED / VADER variety. The production is crisp and modern; no ASSÜCK-style crust around the edges whatsoever. For those that enjoy that caffeine blast of death metal on the way to work, this may be exactly what you need. Don't look for a lot of sonic experimentation, however. "Scum of Us All" is one of the more ambitious tracks, incorporating some midpaced double-bass interludes and churchbell-like guitar into the thrashing madness. "Y.M.B" blasts out of the blocks chugging away with some SLAYER-ish harmonies, and moves through some dissonant passages a la NEUROSIS before slamming back into overdrive. Some of the slower riffs are frosted with dark ringing arpeggiated guitar, reminiscent of KREATOR circa "Renewal" or "Cause for Conflict". But mostly, "March of the Parasite" earns it's stripes with uncomplicated, speeding crunch as demonstrated in tracks like "Warbitrary". So if you're into any of the aforementioned bands, or enjoy the hammergrind artists of the Selfmadegod label, LAETHORA should be right up your alley.

-Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.laethora.com

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