Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 06:22 PM by Nikos Nakos
Genre: Death Metal
Country: Poland
Label: Arachnophobia Records
Year: 2016
Ten years active in the scene, with three full-lengths and a 7” split with Graveyard, Ulcer has built a very respectful name in the underground. The band members are not newcomers as they are playing or have been part of many bands in the past such as Christ Agony, Blaze of Perdition, Exmortum, Abusiveness and many more. This Polish band, in its third album, is presenting us a diverse sounding death metal.
The classic death metal forms are often embraced with a veil of darkness, making an arcane atmosphere and sometimes the whole sound is tripping to black and doom passages. This variety is the thing that makes “Heading Below” special. Hypocrisy (1994-1997), Edge of Sanity and Grave should be mentioned as influences, but when the band decides to diverge we could listen death/doom like old My Dying Bride as in “Enshrouded in Nothing…”, the last song of the album and maybe the best one. The ending of “The Phantom Heart” is reminding us of Cradle of Filth in their slow parts and believe me sounds great. The self-titled track and “Sights to See” are more steady death metal but very good songs also. The band performs its stuff really good and seems that what they have in mind it is totally delivered to the listener. The beautiful artwork is made by Piotr Kurek (Incantation, Outre, Blaze of Perdition and more). Production is cool too.
For people who like their death metal more gloomy and with a bitter taste of black metal, ”Heading Below” is suggested for sure.
4/6
