There was a ‘rebirth’ for Old School Death Metal in the end of the 90s, of bands looking for something nearer what was left on the sands of time by acts as HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, POSSESSED, MASSACRE, DEATH and MASTER. But the concept of Old School Death Metal was expanded from some few years in the past to now, because there are many bands trying to research into what MORBID ANGEL, MORGOTH, ENTOMBED, ASPYX, DISMEMBER, UNLEASHED, BOLT THROWER and others used on their early works to created their own music. And this passion for the past is heart on “Procul His”, the latest full-length of the German trio DROWNED.

The band worked with Tobias Engl (recording, mixing), Michael Zech (recording) and Patrick W. Engel (mastering) to create the sonority of “Procul His”. And the choice was for something that has those Old School Death Metal traits to boost the aggressive side of their music, with nasty instrumental tunes as well. B-U-T the work sounds defined and soundly huge, heavy and aggressive, but defined as well, what means that the hearers will have a deep experience into the trio’s music. And the artwork created by T1 (the band’s guitarist) contrasts with the trio’s music. And as guest, Between The Eyes plays synthesizers parts on “Phantom Stairs”. With more than 30 years of experience on their shoulders (the band was founded on 1992), they use an Old School Death Metal outfit because they began in this way and stay true to their roots. B-U-T to be an Old School Death Metal act doesn’t mean that they lay into a ready musical formula and don’t try something different. Yes, they try something in some moments (as heard on a disturbing introspective moment heard on “Star Tower”), and they still have a lot to offer in their own way. It’s bleak and nasty, but very good, full of energy and personality.

With such talent, it’s a mystery to explain why this is only their second album in such long career (and having in mind that it took ten years between the release of “Idola Specus” and “Procul His”). But now, it’s truly a pleasure to hear songs as “Star Tower” (a nasty and abrasive Death Metal song, with excellent guitar parts), “Phantom Stairs” (that shows many rhythmic shifts, to slower parts to Hardcore-influenced moments, so the bass guitar and drums parts are very good), “Corpse God” (an abrasive song focuses on slower rhythms and charming extreme Metal hooks), “Man in Devil in Man” (again the band uses some Hardcore influences in the middle of their brutality, with some blast beats parts contrasting with the snarls and grunts of the vocals), and the disgusting slow paced “Blue Moth Vault”. But the entire album is a good offering, indeed.

It seems that the trio doesn’t have great ambitions with its music. But “Procul His” shows that DROWNED offerings are very good.