DISMEMBER “Where Ironcrosses Grow” /CD/

The sixth full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Death Metal band.
The band was formed by Robert Sennebäck, David Blomqvist and Fred Estby in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1988 and has long since been regarded as one of the originators of the trademark Swedish Death Metal sound, next to other pioneering bands such as Entombed, Grave and Unleashed.
Four years after the release of the controversial "Hate Campaign" album, which marked the longest break in their discography, Dismember makes a triumphant return with an album that reaches new heights of greatness. In contrast to their Swedish counterparts, Entombed, who displayed signs of decline after their first three albums, Dismember managed to maintain a consistently high standard throughout their career.
2004s "Where Ironcrosses Grow" seamlessly picks up where their 1997 effort "Death Metal" left off. Despite the absence of guitarist Robert Sennebäck, who departed the band after 'Death Metal', the return of Richard Cabeza to the line-up propelled Dismember to deliver yet another outstanding album.
Matti Kärki's vocals are nothing short of phenomenal. They stand at the pinnacle of maturity, sounding deep and brutal, reminiscent of Dismember's early works. They go along perfectly with the lyrics, which continue to revolve around familiar themes such as death, war, and misanthropy. David Blomqvist on guitars once again demonstrates the significant influence of Iron Maiden on the band. While this influence is more evident than ever in this album, it doesn't compromise the brutality and sheer aggression that define Dismember's sound. On the contrary, the melodic leads and solos, strategically placed throughout the album, provide a perfect counterpoint to the heavy, chainsaw-like HM-2 guitar tone — the trademark sound in the entirety of Swedish death metal scene. Songs like "Tragedy of the Faithful" or "Sword of Light" are perfect examples of the marriage between the rotten Death Metal sound of Autopsy and the harmonious melodies of Iron Maiden.
Richard Cabeza, one of the primary songwriters for the band, returns after a two-year hiatus and is back on duty. His absence was apparent in the previous release 'Hate Campaign', which, although a decent album, failed to meet the established standards for a Dismember release. Fortunately, his contribution to this album comes with a renewed sense of creativity and energy. Fred Estby's contribution to the album is undoubtedly essential for its overall success. As the driving force behind Dismember, Estby's immaculate drumming, songwriting, and lyrical contributions are evident. Moreover, serving as the album's producer, Estby has excelled in capturing a muddy and heavy production reminiscent of Dismember's debut album. This production aligns seamlessly with the dark, abyssal atmosphere that brings Dismember back to their roots and to their original sound.
In summary, this album is criminally underrated. It marks a great return for Dismember, setting the stage for the subsequent two releases.
Between 1988 and 2008 Dismember earned a notorious reputation as the “Motörhead version of Death Metal”, through eight classic albums and furious live shows around the globe.  After an eight-year hiatus, the band's original line-up reunited for a 30th anniversary gig at Scandinavia Death Fest in October 2019, performing together for the first time in over 20 years. Since then, the band has remained active playing festivals and shows all around the globe, relaunching their impressive back catalogue and working on new material.
Hammerheart Records/Rawforce Records, 2004/2015 (RAWFORCE 100-74). Made in Chile.


Tracklist:
1. Where Ironcrosses Grow 2:36
2. Forged With Hate 2:56
3. Me-God 4:22
4. Tragedy Of The Faithful 3:48
5. Chasing The Serpent 4:15
6. Where Angels Fear To Tread 4:45
7. Sword Of Light 3:25
8. As The Coins Upon Your Eyes 3:31
9. Children Of The Cross 5:09
10. As I Pull The Trigger 3:38
Total playing time: 38:07 min.


https://dismember.bandcamp.com/