Reading some old interviews and biographies of known musicians, there's a consensus between them all: the success they earned came through the idea that they must be original in every single step they gave. Obviously anyone can emulate the playing style of Tony Iommi or Steve Harris, or can try to sing as Ronnie James Dio or James Hetfield. But they already exist and recorded many albums that consolidate their success, and no one needs anyone doing again and again the same thing (that's why many musicians state that they don't want to do the thing always). And unfortunately, the German quartet NEKROVAULT has a long way to go if they want to be recognized. "Totenzug: Festering Peregrination", their debut album, is just a recollection of clichés.

Their musical work is based on the same trend of Old School Death Metal from the 90's, doing the same thing that British scene titans as BENEDICTION and BOLT THROWER did, and even carrying some influences from ASPHYX and PESTILENCE from their earlier days, with a good technical level and a brutal insight on the songs (the greater part uses slow tempos). But the lack of an identity of the band is evident. It reminds a lot many bands, but something that could bring out what they are is absent. It's like rearing a cover band, but not really a cover band.

The sound quality is another point where the band makes a try to be a band of the 90's: crude and brutal, with that filthy insight that many used on their earlier works, and abandoned when things improved. Of course, everything can be heard without problems, but again: why a band wants to do such a thing today, when a very good sound quality is accessible to anyone? The songs show many punctual good ideas (a sign that these guys have musical potential to create something good), but the need to be a thing that is eroded and buried by time stomp flat anything that could be explored. And such long songs can be boring to many fans. "Totenzug - Funereal Hillscapes" (good guitar riffs), "Psychomanteum - Luminous Flames", "Pallid Eyes" (that shows good fast parts with good work from bass guitar and drums), and "Basilisk Fumes" could be better if the band could throw away the shadow of their musical influences. Sometimes, it seems that they were hearing their favorite Death Metal album during the time they were writing the songs.

It's a pity, because NEKROVAULT can do better than is heard on "Totenzug: Festering Peregrination", but for now, it's an album to hear once and to be forgot. But the future can be better, if they can put out what they have in their hearts.