MACERATION is a death metal band from Denmark, who formed in 1990. Their latest album, “Serpent Deverounment,” is their third full-length album; they have also released two demos. I reviewed their previous album, “It Never Ends…” and gave it high marks so how does their third effort compare? Pretty goddamn good. I certainly miss the legendary Dan Swanö on vocals (although he is still involved with the mix and mastering) but Jan Bergmann Jepsen more than makes up for it and provides just as much of a gripping and brutal performance. As always, the riffs are front and center—and nonstop. Their tone is pretty much perfect and Swanö definitely helps with bringing them to life. They actually might even be more mightier than even their previous albums–and that is saying a lot. Jakob and Robert go the distance on the album—their energy is never ending or their ideas depleting. Rune and Nicolai, bass and drums respectively, must have batteries shoved up their asses because the two of them make for one of the best rhythm machines going today.

This album just exudes confidence from its pus-ridden, rotten core, too. The proof of that is opening with the title track. A lot of bands save the title track for the middle or the end, an effort to to keep the momentum going throughout the album. MACERATION have the confidence to just fire right out of the gate with theirs, because they know the best is yet to come. After about 40 seconds of a built-in intro, the riffs and drums build up with a slow but pulverizing intro before the vocals lead the charge into hellish waters. The tide is high with crushing grooves and all out brutality. I’ll tell you what, Denmark is just as good as Sweden at death metal and this song doesn’t prove it to you, just stop reading this review and go put yourself in a corner.

“A Corrosive Heart Fell Below,” is more immediate, the groove already encompassing about four seconds. The drums are fast, tight, crisp and clean—-very biting and landing lighting strikes on top of the riffs. The bass releases its inner void too, especially during the solos, and by shining I mean caving in your soul. The groove around the 2:11 mark is insanely dense—my head felt like it was vomiting. The tempo pulls back afterward and it’s utterly bulldozing. Love it. LOVE IT. “The Suffering,” is one of the most violent songs on the album—that’s saying a lot. It’s fast, (somewhat) short and blistering. For three minutes, it grinds bones into dust for a straightforward approach that showcases just how intense the band can truly be.

“When Torment Befell My Pain,” is another three minute bangfest but it pulls back on the tempo a little more, allowing some breathing room. Of course, that just means their punishing death metal has more room to kill you in. The solo after the halfway mark is maybe the best on the album too. The final song, “For The End Alone,” ends the album—I love the riffs in the beginning as they are just melodic enough! The song pumps out a steady groove but it’s the vocals that take the center stage here—powerful performance. The mid-portion is sort of doom-ish, with thick groove cutting a side swath through the song. MACERATION’s “Serpent Devourment,” is just as good, if not better, than their previous two albums and it’s going to establish them as a very constituent force in the scene.