German Death Metal outfit SURFACE is back with a third full-length under their belt. Thrashy and deadly, "River of Souls" is a nice revival of OBITUARY-like Death Metal.

The album starts strong with the uplifting and epic intro, "Είστε ηλίθιος χοίρος." This leads into the title track that presents a nice array of riffs and songwriting. The song has hints of technicality, giving the band's music another dimension and a definite hook among all of the chuggy, thrashy Death Metal riffing.

As far as this particular sound goes, it can typically be bland and flavorless. While Surface can fall into that trap at times, their sound is saved by their ability to write a well-written song and sprinkle it with technical riffing. The best example is "Feed the Fires of Rome," a multi-sequence song with great depth, progression, and plenty of technical, juicy riffs.

The same vigor is seen on "Ovoviviparous Serpente," but this time it is much more steamroller heavy with less technicality. However, the chemistry between technicality and steamroller riffs is at its peak with this track, showing that this band has a very well-rounded sound. Not to mention, this song has a literal slam in it, and it sounds awesome.

It is after this song, however, where the album becomes lackluster. The next three tracks are much less interesting, as they have fewer intriguing riffs and less climactic structures.

"Hera" in particular has poor songwriting with a bit too much repetition on the intro riff. This particular riff has terrible, sustained power chords as a conclusion that are repeated way too often. After four repeats, there is a pitiful guitar lick that serves as a poor transition into the verse which as a faster tempo. The intro should have been completely rewritten. If I were to suggest an alternative, the verse riff could have introduced the song without vocals. As a song, "Hera" isn't terrible, but the beginning riff is so disappointing that it's worth mentioning.

Poor songwriting is exhibited a few more times throughout the record, but this is when it was at its worst. It's interesting because usually, the band has fantastic songwriting, but there are a few moments where it seems like they just got lazy. This isn't made better by the poor production that plagues the album. There aren't any moments where the production inhibits one's ability to listen to the album; it's just too gritty.

Despite a few minor flaws, Surface released something quite substantial. Most of the music is good, and a couple of the tracks are absolutely fantastic. This is worth anyone's time if they are a fan of JUNGLE ROT or OBITUARY but can appreciate some technical elements. If anything, this is like DYING FETUS with less brutality and more Thrash Metal elements.