Paganizer - Scandinavian Warmachine (2009)

Rogga must seriously just LIVE early 90s Swedish death metal. He must eat it for breakfast. Take it for a walk in the park. Shower in it. And watch it 24-7 on television. Because this man is an unswerving force, a human detour sign which is turning back the clock and rekindling the old sounds of Dismember, Grave, Entombed, etc.

Okay, so he's not entirely alone in this endeavor. Paganizer, one of his myriad of bands, has now released their 7th album Scandinavian Warmachine and you know EXACTLY what to expect: the same sounds you heard on the previous six. Meaty guitars grinding out old school Swedish death rhythms, some of which succeed, some of which are boring and retread. There are 16 tracks on this album, and perhaps that is a few too many, because I could scrap half of these and the album would be better. The first two tracks "Forever Scorned" and "Scandinavian Warmachine" blew by without much fanfare, it was "The Flesh" which finally sunk a hook into my neck. Other inners include "Thule in Flames", the vile "Bonesaw Bonanza" and the riotous "The Skies Bleed Napalm".

Taken as a whole, this is another good offering for Paganizer, but you'll probably find yourself yawning or skipping through a few of the tracks. Though this is one of Rogga's most intensive projects with a large backlog, his other recent works by Putrevore, Ribspreader and Revolting feel fresher and catchier than this latest album. Still, any diehard of older Swedish death metal is going to find themselves cheering and hooked by at least half the material on this album.

Verdict: Win [7/10]

http://www.myspace.com/paganizer

Paganizer - Carnage Junkie (2008)

After a few delays we've finally got the new Paganizer album, their first full length release since 2004's No Divine Rapture. Though this album didn't quite live up to my expectations, it's still quite good, and aside from the dozen new songs up for offer, there are a number of bonus tracks. Also, expectations are like assholes, we've all got them. And I am definitely an asshole.

The album begins with "Death Plain and Simple", which is an adequate description of not only this song, but the entire album. It's still mired in that roots Swedish death metal of bands like Grave. I thought the song was pretty mediocre, but already the 2nd track "Among the Unknowing Dead" is an improvement, with a lot of raw energy. Other worthy tracks on the album are "Just Here Rotting", "Heal Not Your Wounds", "Carnage Junkie", "Mummified Alive" and "The Rope Tightens". This is a band who plug in and deliver to you everything the death metal maven appreciated about the early 90s Swedish scene. Evil rhythms and aggressive, meaty sound.

There is just no questioning Rogga's love for this sound: Carve, Ribspreader, Deranged, Edge of Sanity, Demiurg, Those Who Bring the Torture, and Putrevore!? That's quite a resume, and the man is basically Swedish death incarnate. Carnage Junkie is another notch in his belt, a worthwhile album, but lacks some of the vitality of previous Paganizer albums like Murder Death Kill or the amazing Dead Unburied. Still, as a large fan of this guy's bands I'm sure I'll be spinning it some more. There are a half dozen tracks here to die for, pun intended.

Verdict: Win [7.5/10]

http://www.myspace.com/paganizerband