I’m very much a guy that can appreciate virtually all forms of death metal just about no matter the form that it comes in, but I feel it’s more than safe to say that the style tends to come in the form of loud and fast without that much of an exception. It’s when a band is able to come around with a sound that’s just a little slower but heavier in many ways with it actually being able to be pulled off very nicely. Going into the latest offering from Votov, I was pleasantly impressed by what I was instantly greeted by, and it just kept on giving.

When we take death metal into consideration in this day and age, we really need to come to terms really quick with the simple fact that so much of what the acts of today produce are very much the same in an overwhelming number of situations, but when it’s done even just slightly differently to give us a flavor that is quite tasteful even if it’s the opposite of fresh we find ourselves lapping it up like it’s homemade ice cream. That’s precisely what’s to be seen throughout the latest of what Votov has made here with all nine tracks offering something that death metal has been boasting for decades now whether it’s uncompromising heaviness, a tremendously raw approach, riffs for absolute days, speed that knows when to go full force or hold back, and everything else that comes to mind. That might make it seem like “I.X.X.I.” is doing absolutely nothing new without any value to be had, but if something isn’t broke then why even try to fix it? There’s no way for me to deny what Votov has done here has loads of quality to throw around in every song, and the band has a clear and true understanding of what death metal can be with “I.X.X.I.” be a real tour de force of a band that loves the style up and down with only a desire to create their own iteration of the massive style which they have pulled off without a single hitch in sight nor a shred of doubt to be had.

It may not be the biggest and most badass piece of death metal that I’ve come across, but I cannot sit here and tell you that Votov lacks any sort of competence or power in any part of this album with quality and passion only to be found all throughout. “I.X.X.I.” is a great stepping stone for an act like this that’s still getting a proper foothold in the scene, and I’d be very keen to see where this group can take their sound.

LISTEN to “I.X.X.I.” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Votov on Facebook here.