Cerebrum - Spectrum Extravagance (2009)

With cover art somewhat resembling that of Darkthrone's (death metallic) debut Soulside Journey, this album was bound to catch my eye. Thankfully, Cerebrum have more to offer on their debut: a tight and balanced assault of brutal 90s-style death metal with a technical death/thrash edge to it, manifest through the notably busy guitar work. Spectrum Extravagance also has a dark honesty about it, a direct album that lacks the mysticism of their countrymen (Septic Flesh, etc).

"Fragments of Illusion" intros the album as it transfers between old school pummeling death metal double bass to a choppier thrash segment. There are a few jazzy guitar breaks which do little to serve the song, but the remainder of the writing is solid. "Scatter-brain" is a better track with its frenetic, paranoid dual guitars and psychotic grooves. Here the band sounds their best, a hybrid of riffy death metal (Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse) and 90s technical thrash metal. There are a number of similar quality tracks, like the swinging "Intolerable Ado", the flowing "Thorns of Weakness" and the tough thrash of "Beyond Imagination". A few of the other songs like "Ephiphysis Thrive" and "Shreds of Remains" didn't come across as strongly, but even these have a few decent riffs. The guitars and drums (the latter courtesy of Nile skinbeater George Kollias) are well executed, and the gruff barks of Apollon Z. are solid throughout, as well as the additional, clean chant vocals.

Cerebrum uses a dark and punchy atmosphere to the album delivered through very its very straightforward mix. The band's ability to bust out a juggernaut groove is equal to its capacity for pure old school death hammering. Spectrum Extravagance isn't a great record that I'll rotate for long periods of time, but it's a worthwhile debut if you long for crushing 90s punishment with no shortgage of a riffing whirlwind and technical awareness. It's good to hear more death metal from Greece and there is a potential in this band.

Verdict: Win [7/10]

http://www.myspace.com/cerebrum