France has become a stronghold of good underground Metal bands since the coming of GOJIRA. There are many astonishing names in extreme Metal genres on French lands, and from Béthune, Hauts-de-France, comes the quintet IN PURULENCE, unleashing a violent storm with their first album, "Putrid Valley". They play Death Metal in the same vein of the bands from USA scene from the 90's, trying to align a good instrumental technique with the brutality of Old School Death Metal, like names as MONSTROSITY, SIX FEET UNDER and INCANTATION. Obviously they must mature a bit more, because they still are in the shadows of their musical influences. But it's a matter of time, rehearsals and shows to put them in the right form, and it doesn't mean that "Putrid Valley" is a bad album.

The best feature we can find on the sound quality of the album is that they aren't posing as a 90's Death Metal band. They know that time passed, so they use a modern and clean sound that bears the aggressiveness and weight that their music needs. The crude scent on their musical work comes from a right choice for the instrumental tunes. Bearing lyrical themes linked to World War I (for the despair of those political correctness warmongers), their music is really solid and aggressive, and if you're into traditional Death Metal, be prepared to be assaulted by songs as "No Retreat" with its excellent tempos, the harsh guitars shown on the brutal "The Beginning Nightmare", the raw and slow rhythm of "Butchery of War", the fine work from bass guitar and drums presented on "Marechal HAIG", and the bitter introspection that flows from "Human Dismembering" are their finest moments. The only thing that they need to work in a better shape is the vocals, because the use of some different guttural tunes would fit perfectly on the band (but a change of vocalist isn't needed, please).

IN PURULENCE is a good and promising name, so hear "Putrid Valley" and be prepared for their massive assault.