Well it has been a bit of a wait for any fans looking for new material from this Italian trio, but their new record Cold, has officially graced us with its presence. Twelve years after the release of their last album, it is bound to be taken with some mixed reactions, especially after the fact that the album received many positive reviews. They formed in 2000, and named themselves after a CANNIBAL CORPSE song, their first release was actually a live recording that same year. They released a full length album in 2005 called Portraits Of Inhuman. After back to back demo's in 2006 and 2007, they put out Apostles Of Inexpression in 2009. Shortly after that release, they went inactive, that is until 2021, as they look to bring their Brutal Death metal to the world.

The album starts off with the titled track "Cold", and if there was a thought that there might be some rust involved, it is quickly and brutally dismissed, as the intense chaos commences. The low seven string sound that Max creates is relentless, and really gives a damning effect to the song. The bass is with the guitar every step of the way in this song, and has an almost slapping technique sound coming off it. The second track "Irreversible Damnation" hits you like a cement wall collapsing on you. Ycio is a speed demon with the rolls at the beginning and never seems to let up a bit throughout the whole song. The snare blasts are punishing, and at no point does he not seem to be in complete control. With the third track "Unchained from the Reflection", you can feel the dominance of Stefano's bass at almost every point of the track, as he seems to demolish every part of his fretboard. It also includes some few really cool slides that peaks your attention, before once again, being shaken to your core.

"Mausoleum of Ineptitude" is a destroyer of senses, Ycio is a madman with this song. There are numerous variations with the guitars that allow him free reign at times, but it is the tempo control and speed in which he puts it together and returns back into the fold with them, that is really something to hear. Would love to see this guy live. The track "The lost Aurea" opens as if it is the soundtrack to the demolishing of the world. Hyper tempo and the deep growl of Max's vocal's highlight this song, as they continuously maintain an earth shaking aggression that, even though there is a lot happening, they are able to maintain a rhythm without everything becoming too cluttered for the listener to be able to distinguish. The album comes to an end with "Deprivation of the Soul", and I don't think that there is more than two seconds on the entire album, where there is not one of these guys creating a feverish pace. This song does have the most timid breakdown of all the songs, that allows the guitars to ring strong with the notes. The album ends like it begins, as powerful as thunder itself.

The album is an impressive return for the band into a heavily populated Italian Death metal scene, but this one should be hard to ignore. The trio of musicians create an absolute wall of sound that shakes you to your core, as if they are a full orchestral outfit on the album. The production is top notch, as everything comes together without anything sitting in the background. The bass comes through a lot more than I find with most Brutal Death albums, but it never seems like it is out of place. It is easy to see how they received such positive reviews with the last album, as I would recommend this one without hesitation.