Escarnium - Rex Verminorum [EP] (2011, Hellthrasher Productions)

You could probably say that there was two major influential groups in early death metal: The Florida-scene and the Swedish scene. Though the bands from both places played death metal there were some differences in sound and such. The Swedish scene's trademark chainsaw-guitar sound is a trait that has since been used by bands all over the world.

The Brazilian deathdealers in Escarnium mix the brutallity of Brazilian death metal that we all know (or SHOULD know!) and this fuzzed up guitar sound of Sweden. Filled with great riffs, headpounding drums and a total rotting old school feel despite the somewhat modern production Rex Verminorum is a short display of absolute death metal power.
If you are ready to embark on a journey through disease-ridden lands covered in death and suffering, Escarnium will help you get there with these 30 minutes of blastbeats, tremolo riffs and magnificently executed growls.

Now, this isn't going to be all appraisal. As much as I'd like it, no album or EP is perfect. But with Rex Verminorum I can't really put my finger on anything other than lack of ingenuity. While the album is definitely a fun and enjoyable listen, it's not really anything new. It's not been done overly much, so it's still within acceptable bounds.Laden with well-executed blastbeats and a dry sound Escarnium are a beacon of light in a sea of mediocrity. There's the occasional unleashing of a vicious guitar solo, and though the Brazilian quartet rarely push the speed limits their brand of death metal that is usually mid-tempoed sometimes unleash short blasts of lightning fury.

Escarnium have a way with flow. Despite some of the songs being from another release, the "Covered in Decadence" demo from 2009, all the songs fit together like pieces of a morbid puzzle. The hellish vibes of the Rex Verminorum EP should disappoint no fan of solid Swedish or Brazilian death metal. 8/10 guitars.

Tracklist:
1. Dark Clouds Above Hell's Fire
2. Self Proclaimed Messiah
3. Rex Verminorum
4. Covered in Decadence
5. Enfeeblement and Iconoclasm
6. His Final March
7. Slaves of an Ending Fate


ESCARNIUM official site
Hellthrasher Productions official site