ODEUM DEUS hailing from Nyköping, Sweden were formed in 2018. The first traces of the band date back to 2005 and a long-term journey under different names followed. Most notably, the first demo was released under the name FIST FIGHT in 2014 which is also the name of the first full-length album of ODEUM DEUS in 2018. The band play traditional Death Metal and "A Brutal Slaughter" is their third full-length album. It has a length of 34 minutes and was released via Italian label WormHoleDeath, known for having Thrash, Black, Death, and Gothic Metal bands among their roster.

If you would have to name one country where Death Metal belongs to, it would be Sweden. There is a rich abundance of Death Metal bands of every style and subgenre, not to mention the different Death Metal schools that were originated there. ODEUM DEUS is one of those many bands and what they offer belongs to the traditional Death Metal school and it is clearly inspired by DISMEMBER and ENTOMBED. It all starts with "Pultrid Forever", a mid-tempo song with a straight-forward song structure, down-tuned guitars, and growling vocals that are around the medium end of the gutturals. Highlight of the track is the groovy lead guitar solo halfway through the song. "Ancient Roots All Knowing" is in principle hardly different from the opener with the guitar riffing, rhythm, and vocals hardly varying during the track.

It becomes a bit pacier with "Bend And Obey" and "Destructive Psycho". The guitar riffing in "Bend And Obey" is a bit catchier while the vocals are slightly higher compared to the opening tracks. "Bend And Obey" was released as lyric video and the YouTube link is given below. As the album goes by, there is a certain monotonicity and a lack of diversity in the sound. Real highlights are rare such as the lead guitars in "You Deserve Even Worse", "Hairy Midgets", or "Pitch Black". "Filthy Whores" is my favorite on the album, since it sounds fresher, more dynamic with more variations in rhythm, pace, and guitar riffing. "Pitch Black" provides the only real tempo change on the entire album where ODEUM DEUS let all hell break loose.

"A Brutal Slaughter" is a Death Metal album in the tradition of the Swedish great Death Metal bands. The story of the album, however, is told quickly: the sound is very monotone and repetitive compared to other albums of this genre and there is a lack of dynamics as well as diversity with every instrument including the vocals. Highlights are very rare. The album is well produced. Fans of DISMEMBER and ENTOMBED might like the album and it will be interesting to see how ODEUM DEUS develop their sound with future releases.