Gravecrusher - Morbid Black Oath (2014)

   By the previously mentioned line-up analogy, Gravecrusher had similarly sudden and unexpected appearance like Coffinborn. High quality death metal, a debut EP released by Xtreem Music, and fortunately their music also had their distinguishable character.
   If Coffinborn was more on the old school path, Gravecrusher pushed it further by focusing more on thrashing basics. If Coffinborn's debut sounded dirty and putrid, compared to that Gravecrusher sounds pretty clear. The songs are focusing on the core essence of old school death, therefore they're not only simpler, but shorter as well. Instead of oppressing heaviness, thrashing intensity and fast, noisy, short solo themes forming the main impression. Two same rooted and therefore strongly related, but still quite different perspectives and qualities. Both are quite enjoyable in their own way. This could serve as a great example how and why the importance of seemingly tiny or secondary features, such as sound, atmosphere and distortion rate became so determining since the late '00s. A different sound could mean a different world, and even if the possibilities in themes are limited and exhausted, by sound they seem limitless. Thanks to its more traditional approach, "Morbid Black Oath" is easier to go into, and could be a potential favorite for both the fans of thrash and death metal.