OLTRETOMBA meaning total intolerance, hail from Italy. Birthed in 2007 as a solo project by growler / guitarist L.D, OLTRETOMBA grew into a three piece and released two EP's and a full length album between 2008 and 2013. 2014 sees the release of "The Death, Schieràti Con La Morte" their first full length album at their new home, Fist bang records. 2014 also saw OLTRETOMBA drop back to a two piece, as bassist Cochise left the band. Right, why is this so important I hear you scream? Well, to be honest it isn't, but having some context behind the band, should really demonstrate how freaking insane the amount of noise two people can make actually is.

I'm going to put this out there right up front. There are times on listening to "The Death, Schieràti Con La Morte" I feel uncomfortable. I'm sure I will damned to the burning depths of hell by the Black/Death Metal elitists for saying this, but there is so much going on, as a listener I don't know what, who or where I'm meant to be. This is less sacrificial chamber and more sacrificial time machine!

"Descending the Crypt" supplies the opening intro, and as we head down the stairs into a cold wet dungeon, the drums start leading into "Crash the disincarnated", and this is where things get interesting. Over the course of the next 11 songs we are transported back and forth from the scene of a ritual sacrifice chamber, somewhere on the outskirts of hell, to Hermosa Beach, California in the late 70's where the Black Flag-esque pre chorus' dominate. We pop over to England in the early 80's with massive nods to the mighty PRIEST, MOTORHEAD and VENOM and then, as if by black magic, we arrive back in hell. "Damnation forth" is mix of traditional Black Metal with some stunning Rock n Roll riffs, one minute uplifting, the next bruising. "Lustful Skin" is the first single of off "THE DEATH - schieràti con la morte" and is the best example of piecing together all of these influences seamlessly.

Parts of the album are polished and perfect; parts are under produced and sketchy. There are moments of brilliance, moments of confusion, humor and despair. Don't get me wrong, it's an enjoyable and very clever march through metal history, but OLTRETOMBA's "The Death, Schieràti Con La Morte", isn't so much a classic Black Metal album, but more a celebration of the black side of Classic Metal.

Buckle up; it's going to be an interesting ride!