When one writer speaks about Death/Black Metal, the reader must pay attention that there’s an ample set of musical possibilities under such a label. The experience of the ears is the most important to say that if you’ll like a band or not, so the writer tries to express in words what is being heard. Then, to explain what the Finnish quintet BURYFICATION is up to with its first album, “Gallows Ride”, isn’t something simple.

After one Single and two EPs (from which some songs were inherited, here in re-recorded versions), the quintet felt secure to unleash such Death/Black Metal release. But the band used a different model for unleashing such musical formula, here with Death Metal low grunts based on a Death/Black Metal instrumental sheath (paying attention, you’ll hear many tremolo-picking based riffs, as heard on “Human Cattle”), and even melodic solos (presented on “Year Zero”). It’s clear that there are points where they need a bit more maturing, but this manic assault to the ears is really very good to be heard.

In the studio, Mikko Koskinen worked on the recording, with Matti Mäkelä on the mixing, and Jon Sjolin on the mastering, what earned the quintet’s music something brutal and full of an Old School Death/Black Metal feeling (due the distorted instrumental tunes used), but that allows the band to be fully understood without problems. As guests, here is Matti Mäkelä (of CORPSESSED, the same one of the mixing of the songs) on the voclas. And the artwork of Turkka G. Rantanen on (cover art, layout) fits on what they want to express on their musical work.

“The Plague” (a violent and fast song, with a thunderous and intense rhythmic impact created by bass guitar and drums), “Supreme Being” (where the guitars present some Thrash/Black Metal-like riffs), “Human Cattle” with its brutal and oppressive appeal, “Year Zero” (a fast and furious song with some good slow parts, with excellent doubles bass parts), “Gallows Rise” (where Death/Black Metal and Thrash/Death Metal elements are bounded together) and “Haunted, Enslaved, Devoured” will crush your bones and serve as a fine initiation to their music.

Ok, some maturing is expected in the future, but for now, enjoy this violent bliss of pure Death/Black Metal called “Gallows Rise”, and pay some respect to BURYFICATION.