Swiss metal band MNEMOCIDE possess a Swedish death metal approach with a modern flavor on its debut full-length album "Feeding the Vultures" (released May 15 via Czar of Crickets Productions).

Formed in 2017, the quintet released its debut EP "Debris" the following year to rather pleasing results. Featuring bassist Denge, drummer Laurent, vocalist Matthias and guitarists Richy and Chris, MNEMOCIDE create a bevy of mostly straightforward, mid-paced death metal tunes.

I'm not sure if this is a true concept album, but there's definitely a conceptual narrative, beginning with opener intro "Manifest," decorated with a sci-fi spoken word sample of a British female voice who introduces the word Mnemocide to the storyline. "Prologue" and "Interlude" also utilize ominous spoken word samples to further the theme along. First proper track "Crash & Burn" immediately grabs the listener's attention with its steady, mid-paced, distortion-laden chugging riffs and some well-injected melody, especially on the swirling guitar solo. Matthias's monotone growled vocals display the perfect grittiness for this type of grimy death metal. The guitar tone is very massive, yet very similar from track to track, staying strictly to the slow to mid-tempo range.

Following tracks, "To the Nameless" and "In Pain," possess loads of modern, down-tuned, slow-burning riffs. On "Like Ghosts," the hypnotic guitar melodies drive the rhythm, while the melodic surging guitar riffs propel "Again."

A slight downside to the album is that most of the tracks seem to blend together, sounding too familiar with not enough tempo changes or variation. There aren't too many tracks that stand out predominantly, lacking memorable riffs as well as not having enough anthemic or chant able choruses, either.

There are so many bands around today who are doing a splendid job of interpreting on old school death metal sound, where unfortunately many bands will get buried in the heap. Although Mnemocide have a simplistic yet powerful approach to the genre, I'm afraid they may get lost in the shuffle. However, if you're already a fan of this musical style and bands such as DISMEMBER, GOREFEST, ENTOMBED and GRAVE, then "Feeding the Vultures" will fit right in with your current collection.