Oftentimes, it feels as though modern death metal that isn’t giving clear reverence or worship to previous greats are given a really bad reputation. I could be perceiving it wrong, but I’ve never been one of those that sees a more modern approach to the sound as a bad thing even if there are still plenty of great things to be accomplished when they’re student of that beloved old school feel. Having honed their particular approach to it for years now, Orecus readies us with the release of their second album that has more than enough glory to make one reconsider the status of modern death metal.

Already, as is the case for death metal in general, the sound has got a little bit of a kick to it by nature. Thus, it’s no surprise whenever a new work from any band, new or old, comes around and it’s quite intense, but clearly that wasn’t enough for Orecus for it’s with their choice of blending their brand of death metal with more a little djent that “Dreadnought” takes on a magnificent life of its own. Every given moment of these ten tracks is utterly pulverizing as Orecus goes out of its way to ensure that their second album is an uncompromising listen that is truly constant in its intensity as it sees vast improvements upon its predecessor while also including plenty of guest appearances to even further enhance the potential of the record. Each song goes to show at great lengths that Orecus knew precisely what it was doing with the crafting of “Dreadnought” with it being made painfully obvious that the three years since their last effort was well-spent in honing their craft to a deadly edge just that none can defy its power and few able to resist the high intoxication factor that’s prevalent from the get-go. Powerful and not wasting so much as a second meandering, this is truly what it means for modern death metal to be given the justice that it has long deserved.

By and large, this is what it means to know your craft inside and out to the point that you can execute it with tremendous quality, zero compromise, and unbridled intensity the likes of which death metal can only bring to the table. While I don’t think the stigma on this particular variety of death metal is to fade any time soon, it’s thanks to Orecus and works like “Dreadnought” that we will always have excellence to fondly look upon for all that it accomplishes.

“Dreadnought” releases on April 5th!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Dreadnought” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Orecus on Facebook here.