Rogga Johansson has become a phenomenon in the Extreme and Death Metal world throughout the years. His voice is of such quality that it enhances any record he's grunting/growling/singing on. One of the bands he created is PAGANIZER. That happened in 1998 and these Swedes have been bringing us their brand of Death Metal since then, resulting in thirteen studio albums, three live recordings and a number of compilations and splits so far. All of them are varying between good and outstanding. Now here we have studio album number 14, and it is just about a given that "As Mankind Rots" again knows how to impress the Death Metal community in particular. But I think that it is safe to say that what I hear on "As Mankind Rots" will just as easily be suited for Thrash metal afficionados as well as other Extreme Metal followers.

Because there is no two ways about it; every song that PAGANIZER plays on "As Mankind Rots" hits the spot just right. In just under 40 minutes time the band has made sure that the songs they write have that underlying tension that comers with the territory, whilst also allowing the listener to adapt to every tune with a great deal of ease. Everything on this album sounds familiar without sounding contrite or predictable. And after twenty seven years together that can be considered a real treat. Production wise PAGANIZER never have sounded better. Everything is crystal clear, while still being allowed to sound as dirty as possible. The guitars do sound rather gravelly and dark, which is beautiful to my ears.

The real question I have for moist of the Death Metal fans in general and especially the PAGANIZER fans is how they experience the closing song "Vanans Makt". It is a new recording of the song, which appeared on the Compiled Ammunition compilation back in 2020, with guest vocals from Bulten of Swedish punk band LASTKAJ 14. First off, it's not sung in English, plus the vocals are a combination of the grunting of Rogga Johansson and the clean female vocals of Bulten. If you can handle this, you certainly can handle the rest of "As Mankind Rots", because as far as I'm concerned it is the lesser song on the album. The rest is just so much more impressive, so much more like a punch to the face. And that is what PAGANIZER stands for, and always has, in my book.