9th Plague - Apocatastasis Reversed

9TH PLAGUE - Apocatastasis Reversed (SEVARED / BUTCHERED Records CD 2017)

This plague was spread over Sweden back in the first decade of 00's and it brought torment and slow death to maniacs with few demos and one album. It was furious and evil, but I am afraid that the 9th Plague was ended way too early. "Apocatastasis Reversed", the only full length released in 2007 by Sevared / Butchered Records, was definitely a highlight in the discography of this Swedish band. Sadly, it wasn't really noticed by many fans and nowadays I suppose that hardly anyone remembers them at all. But that sounds like a good opportunity to introduce you to this band. 

It's worth to notice that 9th Plague was one of those Swedish bands, which did not sound Swedish at all. At the time of early to mid 00's several bands from Sverige decided to play death metal in much more brutal and extreme way. We had Insision, Strangulation, Spawn of Possession, Visceral Bleeding, Anata and probably several more, which decided to step away from the trademark Swedish style of death metal. They all opted for more US death metal style, for much more brutal, technical, intense music, which would also have no melodies, keyboards or anything atmospheric. If it's good or not, you decide. I prefer the traditional Swedish style, but I also have nothing against brutal death metal. 

And "Apocatastasis Reversed" is definitely a good album. Stylistically it has a lot of Incantation influences, except that 9th Plague don't really incorporate too many slower parts into their music. Also, a bit of Vital Remains, Deicide, Suffocation and from the European territory it would be Centurian or Severe Torture. You know this shit. And everything sounds absolutely right here, "Apocatastasis Reversed" stands as a quality death metal, with plenty of solid riffage, great satanic atmosphere and intensity, which should be handy, if you want to break some necks in fury. 9th Plague mainly used fast tempo, blasting drums and chaotic, ferocious riffage - I would like to hear few slower, more crushing parts, but the album never sounds dull or something the way it is. Even if there's nothing exceptional or innovative about it, and it would require a bit better production or more powerful vocals, "Apocatastasis Reversed" presents a good songwriting, so it definitely is a good offer for death metal maniacs.   

Standout tracks: "The Shrine of Satan", "Trading Gods for Flesh" 

Verdict: 70/100