With a name like "Interstellar Knowledge of the Purple Entity," one might expect the second EP from France's SKELETHAL to sound technical and trippy, like GIGAN, or ULCERATE, than it does for those unfamiliar with the band. The two-piece, comprised from members of the Thrash band INFINITE TRANSLATION, spew out sickening Death Metal at crushing paces.

The band's down-tuned, chainsaw riffing is immediately reminiscent of old-school bands like MASSACRE, ENTOMBED, and DISMEMBER, particularly the latter for the guitar sound alone. The rough tone will no doubt please Death Metal purists, but it can sound a bit too muddy at times. Nevertheless, the band plow ahead convincingly on tracks like "Sabbatical Demonic Invocation" and the title track, with the latter's opening verse riff among the album's most savage. Gui Haunting's vocals are basically what one would expect, suitably harsh and violent for the harsh and violent music being played, and he does his part well, while Jon Whiplash skillfully pounds away at his kit. "Slaughtered From Beyond" is another solid offering, with plenty of solid riffs and enough variance in tempo to keep you on your toes. The final track, fittingly, is a cover of "Torn Apart" by CARNAGE, and the band display as much energy and intensity, if not the same novelty, as the original version.

Some bands have no problem wearing their influences proudly on their shoulders, and SKELETHAL do just that on "Interstellar Knowledge of the Purple Entity." While they don't really offer anything new or remarkable stylistically, they do what they do very well, and fans of pummeling, no-nonsense old-school Death Metal should definitely be able to appreciate them for what they are.<