Since the moment that Brutal Death Metal was brought into life, the genre was always a case of what is called 'love-hate' relationship: one will love the genre or hate it to the extreme. But using a reflective insight, one can check that the genre is truly eroded, and day in, day out, dozens of new Brutal Death Metal appear without anything new to offer, just more of the same that was heard before. But there are some bands that really show differences, as the UK duet HERETIC PLAGUE. And after a Demo, they're here with their first album, "Context is a Stumbling Corpse". Many of those old clichés of the genre are presented on the band's work, as the low-tuned slow guitar riffs (an inheritance of the important influence that MORBID ANGEL gave to the genre with "Covenant"), the contrasts between low grunts and piggish high-pitched screams, and the changes between fast and slow rhythms.

But the difference that is offered by the duet: the technical approach and some classic Death Metal influences arising in many points (check "Skull Crawler" to have an idea of what these words are trying to express). Of course that they still have to mature a bit more, but the energy and whole musical outfit used shows a talented band with a lot of to say. Tom Bradfield mixed and mastered the songs of "Context is a Stumbling Corpse", and did a fine work, with the band having success on expressing its musical ideas in a defined and aggressive form. The way passes on this point, but it can be better in the future. And his artwork really fits on what the band expresses on its songs.

As written before, the band deals with the clichés of the genre, but has potential to make things in a better way in the future. But it's hard for a Brutal Death Metal fan to resist to songs as "Bleeding Stump Marathon" (the slow approach on the tempos allows bass guitar and drums to show a very good and fluid work, indeed), "All Eyes on the Grave" (very good guitar riffs endorses the weight and give the right support for the vocals), "Skull Crawler" (where Grindcore and traditional Death Metal traces are evident, and a fine technical work can be heard), "Briefcase Full of Cutlery" (a brutal and oppressive song, with many good contrasts created by the instrumental technique of the band), and "Grandpa's Hammer".

As a first coming, "Context is a Stumbling Corpse" fulfills its part, and let's hope that experience and maturing can take HERETIC PLAGUE's music to the level it really deserves.