AUROCH hails from Vancouver, BC, formed in 2008, but have been gaining recognition since their EP release "Taman Shud" in 2014. Since then, the Death Metal trio has been consistently playing shows, touring, and attending festivals in both the US and Canada. "Mute Book" is "one of the darkest, most violent, whirlwind-like bizarre monuments of alchemic Death Metal" releases to date. "Mute Book" comes in with seven tracks and a listening time of just under 30 minutes.

The opening track "Billowing Vervain" starts off a little on the lighter side. It slowly leads you into an array of complete chaos. The vocals and musical elements thrown into a tempo and pandemonium that is seen mostly in Thrash. However, the tempo slows a bit bringing it back into the realm of Death Metal, and perhaps a little slower that skips the blast beats, but not for long. About half way through the track, the infamous blast beat drums, the down tuned guitars, and the deep bass make an appearance that is here to stay. The guitar solo ate about five minutes 30 seconds in is pretty incredible and such a nice breakup in a very deep and dark track. The vocals are so low, the growl is almost incorporated into the essence of the track. This track really ignites and thrusts the album into a lightening pace.

"He Wreaths The Cross", track two, comes in rapidly and hard hitting. The guitars in this track stand out immensely. They aren't so low that they mix too much with rest of the elements. This track is quick in nature, energy, and in speed. The track lasts all of three minutes, but there is so much working in here that it's easy to get lost in the music. There is a considerable difference from the ending of track two to the beginning of "Say Nothing", track three. Track three, starts with a very Gothic hymn feel with an incredible guitar anthem shredding in the background. This turns into all kinds of in your face riffage that is unique and refreshing. Again, there is such chaos in the vocals creating an anarchy of the senses. The vocals spit incomprehensible lyrics and the beats are blasting. This track is somewhat different from the others in its feel and energy. It creates an interesting mixture in the middle of the album. "The Keeping", track five, is so short coming in at only two minutes and fifteen seconds of play time. However, there is so much to digest in this track. All of the elements of this track flow seductively throughout and then there is the instant turn off. The flow from track five to "Her Bidding", track six is off. It completely throws off the progress.

The final track, "Cup of Hemlock", starts as hard hitting as ever. The blast beats some and never ceases. There is some much love for the guitar and bass in this track. They both work, genuinely, great together creating a master track on "Mute Books". The end is an ode to the epic adventure this album is. It starts soft and ends soft. Like the old saying "you end where you begin." AUROCH's "Mute Book" is adroit and unique. There aren't many other Death Metal band out there that can take the creative individuality and turn it into what AUROCH has done here. If you're looking for something totally chaotic yet deft, this album is a great place to start.