It is always awkward when new bands are described with pompous characterizations after inking a deal with a famous record label such as Metal Blade. It also raises the anticipations and this is kind of unfair way since we are talking about freshly formed acts. Well, the curriculum vitae of LAY DOWN ROTTEN falls in the above category and that made me reconsider writing this review. This can be a 'trap' for a reviewer who does not want to be caught in the record label's web and praise an album that is already praised by the managers. Nevertheless, this is for the average reviewer and not for METAL TEMPLE's who are used in similar impossible missions...(he he)
After talking high of ourselves it is time for me to take a dive in the new LAY DOWN ROTTEN album Gospel Of The Wretched. The guitar driven intro in Hours Of Infinity mislead my hunch that was pointing towards the melodic Swedish Death Metal scene. Indeed, the killer opening riff along with the double drum pedaling was breathing the cold Gothenburg air until the Death-like vocals revealed that something was wrong with my first impression. LAY DOWN ROTTEN come from Germany and bring with them a hearty brutal sound with vocals deeply influenced by Chuck Schuldiner's (R.I.P. 13/12/01) tormenting screams and hellish growls. LAY DOWN ROTTEN have managed to blend the Swedish guitar melody with brutal finishing touches creating a massive sound. Actually, the sound hits you hard due to the mixing and mastering of Dan Swano who is also one of the guest singers. In the guest singers list there are Martin Van Drunen and Marc Grewe from MORGOTH. The first name should remind you two of the most important Death Metal acts that are still with us tormenting our brains with their brutal music under the names of PESTILENCE and ASPHYX.
This is the band's fifth full length album and I am already wondering why the hell I haven't heard a single note from them. Maybe the aforementioned praising words made me look the other way but now I can admit that I was wrong. The album stays aggressive without stepping into the 'noise' territory where most of the brutal acts are found, trying to play old school Death Metal. No, this is not the case here. You can also find several influences from the Gridcore scene (call me CANNIBAL CORPSE) or even the traditional Death Metal in the vein of MORBID ANGEL without losing the Swedish strong foundations. These are revealed through the shredding riffs and the very good solos that are the definite icing on the cake. Without any doubt I can say that the guitar work that boosts 100% the dynamic of the album flawlessly supported by the crystal clear sound production. Altering The Whore is a fine example of my saying; the track starts as a Death Metal track and then it breaks into an early THE HAUNTED Thrasher with finger bleeding riffs, neck snapping SLAYER-esque groovy rhythm and tremolo killing ala Kerry King solo.
I really enjoy the way LAY DOWN ROTTEN explode the tension built in their music; Conditioning The Weak enters with the 'classic' almost mid tempo with a ton heavy rhythm and then a Death growl initiates the sonic attack with speaker destroying blast beats and excellent bass guitar sound. The feeling of 'I cannot breathe' during the listening session underlines the fact that the German band wants to establish their name in the brutal scene raising the expectations for live performances. The choice to use two singers (besides the guest ones) gives the band the versatility behind the microphone and adds depth to their musical signature.
I do not want to write something more here. It's pretty simple; Metal Blade Records made a wise decision to recruit LAY DOWN ROTTEN. The Germans seems that they have the power to balance traditional Death Metal and Swedish sound without losing direction through a more personal looking glass. Don't hesitate to get this one!

Gospel Of The Wretched (Making Of...Fun Stuff)