Although they have been around since 1990 (originally under the name of Seizure), and have released several Eps and Splits, this is just the third full length from these Swedes.  From the opening moments of the first track, "Embrace Death," it is very obvious this album is something both intense yet complicated in the best ways.  Their sound is best describe as being something closer to Old School Death Metal in a very raw form but it has so much going on within the songs that is somehow more but without going overboard.  The songwriting has a lot of twists and turns but it isn't cluttered or messy.  The guitars build upon layers and layers but it doesn't turn into pretentious rubbish.  The sound, the production itself, is raw and dirty but still immense with depth.

WOMBBATH have made an Old School Swedish Death Metal album that includes elements that wouldn't usually work with the genre, or turn it into something else entirely, but the basic elements are firmly planted on the brutal nature of the genre.  This is do in no large part to vocalist Pettersson, whose deep growls are like an approaching tidal wave that crashes into the shore. One of my favorite aspects of the album is how they can introduce melody without turning into a Melodic Death Metal Band.  Much like fellow Swedes THE CROWN, their melody is subtle and actually makes things darker.   At 1:19 on "Born of Filth," the song suddenly does a 360 degree turn and quiets down before leading into an absolutely masterful melodic bridge.  The beginning of the track gave no indication what was coming before...it just fucking happened but it fit perfectly Stuvemark and Riglin guitar tones rival the likes of OBITUARY and DISMEMBER. Their riffs are groove, intense, and cleverness all put into one hammer heavy package.  I could talk about their riffs for probably another thirteen paragraphs but I need to give their solos some love too.  At times they have an almost rock and roll feel to them but they are played with Death Metal fervor.

"Footsteps of Armageddon," and "Cold Steel Salvation," both have solos that would fit easily into a variety of genres, including Thrash or even traditional Heavy metal; it really impresses me they can so easily be comfortable bringing about different techniques and ideas into their sound without compromising one iota of their identity.  All the pieces of the album that fall into holes they will never fit into instead cling to their surroundings and grow as one , twisting and changing the monster has it hurtles forward.  The six minute long, "Hail The Obscene," exemplifies this.  The beginning is this cold, dissonant broken melody that grows into those famous "chainsaw" guitars.  Like a snake slithering towards its prey, the song moves and expands out until it's in full force; the song almost feels alive with purpose in a way.  The purpose, which is ominous tones and desolation, cultivates until the song ends suddenly, leaving in its wake battered senses and a sore neck.

WOMBBATH's  "The Great Desolation," is a monumental piece of work that can be appreciated by any fan of Death Metal or extreme metal in general.  I don't know if people outside the realm of understanding this music would (or could) understand it nor would I say it should be the starting point for anyone wanting to get into Death Metal but if you're reading this, then you probably know if it's your thing or not. If it is, I don't see it getting much better than this for the rest of the year.  Along with VALGRIND's own release, this is THE Death Metal album to own this year.