When members from bands like Demonical, Centinex, and Regurgitate come together, the result could only be a sledgehammer-style, unrelenting Swedish death metal assault. With their debut full-length into the crypts of blasphemy, Interment delivers a pitch-black, putrid, and ear-scorching sound. Considering how strictly the band adheres to old-school Swedish death metal roots, it’s not that surprising—they originally started back in 1988 under the name Beyond. As bands like Bastard Priest and Miasmal continue shaking the ground with their frostbitten infernal tones from the north of Europe, Interment has now joined the ranks with full force.
From start to finish, you're bombarded with buzzsaw guitar tones, chaos-driven rhythmic structures, ominous vocals, savage drumming, and deceptively simple yet brain-burrowing tremolo riffs. This is a record that drags you straight back to the early '90s—right into the era when Entombed, Grave, Carnage, and Dismember were first tearing open the crypt. You might ask, where were these guys for the past 22 years? Well, this may not be their first recording, but it's their first full-length album.
Some tracks showcase a fusion of old-school style with more modern death metal dynamics—think of how Bloodbath handles it. There's a deeply satisfying balance here. In fact, when we recall how Entombed incorporated late-‘80s Swedish hardcore/crust influences or how Miasmal gave a masterclass on crust-infused death metal, it becomes clear that Interment has also absorbed its fair share of punk spirit—evident in the rhythmic drive of certain tracks.
As soon as the Swedish-stamped intro riff of “Eternal Darkness” kicks in, you’re hooked. The track’s fluid structure and infectious chorus riff send you into a frenzy. Johan Jansson delivers one of the most foul and brutal vocal performances you could imagine for a band of this caliber. It’s as if he clawed his way out of the grave just to record these vocals. The d-beat madness you’re craving explodes in “Torn from the Grave,” with a solo so perfectly crust-infused it could belong in any punked-out death metal band.
“Dreaming in Dead,” while more straightforward, still pounds you senseless with its crushing main riff. “Stench of Flesh” is perhaps the most violent track of all—starting with relentless triggered blasts and maintaining that punishing pace throughout. The mid-song vocal solo, followed by an absolutely killer riff, genuinely feels like it drains the blood from your veins. “Sacrificial Torment” starts slow, with a mournful yet energized funeral vibe that morphs into a ritualistic torment—easily one of my favorites on the album. “Morbid Death” also deserves mention, beginning at a crawl, then surging into a necro-charged assault filled with spiteful riffs.
If you're ready to venture into blasphemous graveyards beneath desecrated churches, don’t skip this record. In the words of the underground: True Old School Swedish Death Metal. You might hear criticisms that many songs sound alike—but that’s a matter of taste. What’s certain is Interment never becomes boring. On the contrary, they hammer directly into your skull.