29th March 2025

Review: “Tails From The Deep” by Gore Force V

Zwijndrecht, Antwerp, Belgium is home to “slightly grindy” Death Metal quintet Gore Force V (also referred to as “Gore Force 5“) who started making “music” in 2007. Having spent seven years absent without leave between 2017’s third album “Metally Challenged” and 2024’s “At Full Force” the five piece have some serious ground to make up, promotors to present flowers to and fans to offer sweaty hugs. So with 50% of a new full length album written they decided to write one more “fish” song” and re-record, remix and remaster a pair of older ones to create an EP called “Tails From The Deep” and bring a trilogy to a close. That’s to say, that they never want to write another “fish” song again but they won’t admit to that in case the creators of Sharknado come calling and ask for something for a new movie soundtrack. Recorded at Soundhound Studios by vocalist Senne Blokland (Awaiting Chaos) mastered at Red Left Hand Studios by former Aborted bassist Sven Janssens (Shrine of August, Blazing Row, Prematory), we’re about to find out what “slightly grindy” actually means…

Joining vocalist Senne Blokland are drummer Jan de Maeyer, guitarist Wesley Heyndrickx (ex-Axamenta), bassist Dominique Michiels (ex-Pulverize) and guitarist Buysse Jeroen (Fractured Insanity) and this time out the DIY or DIE approach means a distinctively heavier low end sound. The seismic activities begin with new cut “Jacques: the Fornication Crustacean“, a brutal assault on the senses with thunderous percussion as Jackhammer footwork reduces the recording studio to rubble. The groove laden rhythm guitars are dirty filthy, as is a Slam inspired squeal from Blokland with a couple of well placed samples livening things up. Overall, it’s the kind of neck snapping treat that bodes well for the next full length while reminding fans and friends just what the band are capable of when they crack their skulls together after a few shots of Jägermeister. The first time around “Grinding Nemo” featured original vocalist Jesse Buytaert and so the immediate difference is Blokland ‘s vocals although this rendition feels more intense being 22 seconds shorter than the 2017 version. A classic Death Grind style tune that *ahem* grinds you into submission, its got a bouncy mid section that feels like it was tailor made for Obscene Extreme Festival in the Czech Republic and has enough fleeting Slam inspired vocal parts to make a Goth cry. Also shorter than the original “The Doryhole” confirms that sense of tongue in cheek humour is still present and correct with rampaging blast beats and furiously fierce vocals. Blokland sounds like primitive man roaring at Lions to keep them away from his cave, such are the gravelly lows of his parts during the all out play as fast as you can riff fest. Some might label this a stop gap release but they can go and sleep with the fishes because these concrete boots are made for walking and each of these vicious and fun little ditties is the sonic equivalent of a nail bomb [8/10]

Track Listing