Goreaphobia - Vile Beast of Abomination

GOREAPHOBIA - Vile Beast of Abomination (NECROHARMONIC - CD 2007)

"Vile Beast of Abomination" is really fine compilation of songs of one of these legendary, but relatively underrated US death metal bands from the old era. Goreaphobia, formed in 1988, was relatively short lived act, as they split up in 1994 and through these few years they only released a demo and 7"EP - both of which you can find on this CD. But even with such small discography, they managed to become a recognizable and cult band. Goreaphobia history obviously didn't end in 1994 and later the band was reformed twice - first in 1999 and then again in 2004, this time for longer (they even recorded two albums, before splitting up yet again... and for good, as it looks like).

"Vile Beast of Abomination" starts with some newer songs of Goreaphobia, which I didn't know before, as they're 2004 unreleased material, with four truly fuckin crushing songs of vicious and obscure death metal. Oh man, this shit sounds incredibly good, with songs like "Wraith Reaper" or "Creator Chaos" it's just beastly stuff. Great riffage, with lots of fast, but also great slower parts and great approach towards classic death metal. "Wraith Reaper" really stands out here, with its excellent playing. If there's anything to moan, then maybe I don't like those screamed vocals so much and would prefer to hear more typical growl... but it's a minor complain and generally I feel like Goreaphobia really came up with great material here. A bit different to their older recordings, but damn good for sure.

Later we can listen to old songs from classic releases "Omen of Masochism" (1991 EP) and "Morbidious Pathology" (1990 demo). The band sounded brutal, very dark and harsh and definitely they did have a lot in common with other representatives of old school brutal death metal like Incantation, Morpheus Descends, Rottrevore, Brutality, Decrepit, Immolation and so on. I love this old US death metal scene, with many killer bands - some of which became more popular and did many albums and some, which only did some demos and never become recognized (like Body Bag, Timeghoul, Ossuary, Arioch, Contagion and so on). Goreaphobia sounded better and more savage than many of them and these two old recordings are a fine proof for it. The production on the demo may not be the best, but even that has its killer charm and fits perfectly to this rotten, brutal death metal style. But I prefer the EP - for me it's the best thing, which Goreaphobia has ever recorded.

Musically "Vile Beast of Abomination" is a killer compilation, but also the whole presentation of this CD, released by Necroharmonic Productions, is truly spotless. Take a look on this fat booklet, filled with millions of archive photographs, but also one of the most indepth and detailed liner notes I've ever seen. This is what I call a complete and perfect work!

Standout tracks: "Omen of Masochism", "Wraith Reaper"

final rate: 90/100