Happy and joyful are not two words that anyone would very often associate with the brutality and punishing sound of DUNGORTHEB's new album, "Extracting Souls". Anyone who has would have been using tongue-in-cheek sarcasm since the crippling guitars and throbbing percussions leave nothing but headbanging, crushed skulls, broken fists, and utter sonic destruction in their wakes. Forget that this band is from France; there is NO surrender here!

This is clearly a band that knows heavy. This album is dynamic in its time signatures, down-tuned six-string progressions, and fluid guitar solos. People, if you enjoy some good old-fashioned Heavy fucking Metal, like the kind you might hear by, oh say, LAMB OF GOD, then you're in for a fucking treat. Though they are a self-professed Technical Death Metal band, I heard elements beyond just that one specific subgenre.

Possessing the Death Metal part well, but not quite as Technical Metal as the mighty NECROPHAGIST, this band has laid down eleven fantastic examples of their interpretation of Metal. They list bands such as CORONER, MERCYLESS, PESTILENCE, DEATH, and SCAR SYMMETRY as their primary influences.

With a talented Metal vocalist that closely resembles the sounds of Randy Blythe, accompanied by amazing musicians for band mates, they demonstrate that they are fully capable of creating some outstanding (and original) songs.

After listening to this album, I needed a nice stiff drink to shake off the feeling of my ears being pounded by fists coming out of my headphones. That's the same feeling you'll get too when you take "Extracting Souls" for a spin. Play it LOUD and tell your neighbors to check these guys out!<