Review: “Arimortis” by Necrodeath

“’Arimortis’ is a term of Latin origin which indicates the end of a war, the moment in which the fallen are honoured and altars are erected in their name (‘arae mortis’, the altars of death). Even today in some parts of Italy the term ‘arimo’ is used to declare the end of the games. We wanted to use this allegory to seal a path that lasted forty years, full of satisfactions, disappointments and revenge. The songs that make up the album contain several references to our long career” ~ Alberto “Flegias” Gaggiotti 

They say that all good things must come to an end and after a 40 year career in Blackened Death Thrash that has not only helped to shape the Italian metal scene but also the International one, who can begrudge Necrodeath hanging up their well worn boots? Formed in 1984 a year later they gave us the cult demo “The Shining Pentagram” and have never looked back, drummer Marco “Peso” Pesenti and vocalist Alberto “Flegias” Gaggiotti the bands beating black heart. For the past fifteen years or more the duo have had guitarist Pierangelo “Pier” Gonella and bassist Gianluca “GL” Fontana keeping them honest and now as they reach album number fourteen, it seems a fitting place to stop. Their first two albums “Into The Macabre” (1987) and “Fragments Of Insanity” (1989) might be legendary but their last one “Singin’ in the Pain” (2023) was also critically acclaimed so what more can they offer?

It’s clear from the very first moments of “Storytellers of lies” that Necrodeath are intent on ending their career on a high as they unleash their inner beasts with a rampaging Death Thrash cut that demonstrates exactly how they get their business done. A ripper of a solo from Gonella is a real moment as Flegias roars through the lyrical narrative like a man possessed, the energy of the track fearfully addictive. An acoustic introduction acts as a interlude before “New God” quickly reaches critical mass, a savage beating with caustic vocals as the riffs fly in all directions like stray bullets in a war zone. The atmosphere is as dark as they come, the band toying with the senses with a warped piece of lead and distorted sample to create some psychological madness. Roaring out of hells gate like a dungeon whippet at the devil’s dog track “Necrosadist” is another whirlwind of pulverising percussion and scorching vocals that raises the hairs on the back of the neck with its blistering energy. There are no rose tinted spectacles required to look back on the career of Necrodeath with this opening trio of ferocious cuts, this is very much the work of a band intent of leaving the stage with a grand finale of the highest calibre. Another sinister acoustic introduction sets an eerie tone for title track  “Arimortis“, sending a chill down the spine before the band roar into life after fifty seconds. Themes of Satanism, Occultism, Death and Violence have never been far from the twisted mind of Flegias and as the war drums pound, this 90’s Death Metal style beast comes to life, they are once again present and correct. Cut from the same cloth as early Sepultura and Morbid Angel it’s one that will live long and prosper like a parasite in the cerebral cortex of the discerning listener.

The schizophrenic rantings of a mad man possessed by a demon give “Near-Death Experience” another dimension as Flegias spits and snarls his way through a lyrical narrative that feels more like a nightmarish vision than anything else. A whammy bar drop solo from Gonella chemically enhances the menacing riffs, the cut one that would suit one of those inception level madness dream sequences in a Robert Rodriguez bloodbath classic on the big screen. An ear worm riff ushers in “Alien“, the tribal drums from Peso in the mid section a brutal delight before the eyebrows are once again burned off by another pair short and sweet solos of virtuoso flamboyance. A barnstormer of a cut it ensures that the album is a cliché in its own right, very much in the all All killer, No filler category of the video rental store that Patrick Bateman frequents. How many Death Thrash classics can one band create? “No More Regrets” is masterfully done, progressing from a slow burn to a frantic and frenetic mid section with wanton fervour. Hells teeth there are even a couple of groove passages that work incredibly well.

The sequel to the cut of the same name from their 2019 album “Defragments of Insanity” and twice as long “Metempsychosis (part two)” is the kind of tune that puts hairs on your chest. Rampaging, menacing and sinister from the very start, it’s dark energy is nothing short of electrifying. A powerful instrumental that is testament to the musicianship of the band before spoken word chant of “Murder and psychosis” in the final third. It’s very much in the kind of vein that made those early Metallica instrumentals shine before Flegias gets his moment in the spotlight, roaring through final moments. One more for shits and giggles? Go on then. “Hangover” goes off like a Molotov cocktail, the band reaching critical mass instantly and tearing down your blue skies as they do so. Ending the album with the sounds of someone throwing up cracks a smile, it’s something so befitting that its hilarious. If you haven’t snapped your neck to Necrodeath before this album reared its ugly head then don’t miss out because this one has it all and the kitchen sink [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Storytellers of lies
2. New God
3. Necrosadist
4. Arimortis
5. Near-Death Experience
6. Alien
7. No More Regrets
8. Metempsychosis (part two)
9. Hangover

“Arimortis” by Necrodeath is out 17th January 2025 via Time To Kill Records