Finland is rich in death metal history. Long-standing titans like Demilich and Amorphis usually grab the headline. However, bands like Abhorrence and Convulse also made their name known in the early 90's. In fact, it's those latter options that seem to have found their way into Ghastly's new album, Death Velour. The Tampere trio crafts a fierce and almost hallucinogenic brand of death metal sure that combines these classic acts with some of the mind-numbing tropes seen in fellow Finnish brethren Oranssi Pazuzu.
Artwork by: Riikka Pesonen
This kaleidoscopic description certainly fits a track like "Death By Meditation." Over the course of three and a half minutes, Ghastly takes the OSDM formula and spins an eerie, mid-tempo web around it. The high-note riffs seem to climb and climb to an infinite crescendo, but they never quite peak; it creates such an unsettling feeling throughout the track. Gassy Sam's consummate death growl gives a sinister flair to the trio's music. Ian J D'Waters and Johnny Urnripper are responsible for the instrumental unease surrounding "Death By Meditation." Their work combined with Sam's screams undoubtedly create a jarring death metal offering.
D'Waters spoke about the new track and album stating, "'Death by Meditation' has a life (and death) of its own. It’s raw and merciless and shows you what you are dealing with—the death that you chose. It's a perfect song after an intro that awakens you to the ghastly realm of Death Velour. I also advise everyone to check the coolest label around, 20 Buck Spin, and pre-order their dose of death metal ASAP!"
Stream "Death By Meditation" below and, as Ian said, pre-order physical copies Death Velour now from 20 Buck Spin. Digital versions can also be ordered on the label's Bandcamp page. Follow Ghastly on Facebook as well.
