Gore soaked and horror themed Death Metal is so thoroughly generic these days that it usually doesn’t lure that much nowadays. So, when picking up “Idioms Of Gore”, the third full length from the multinational outfit BONE GNAWER, I initially expected another exercise in nostalgia. The band, originally formed in 2008, operates as a supergroup pairing prolific Swedish riff machine Rogga Johansson (PAGANIZER, RIBSPREADER) with legendary American vocalist Kam Lee (MASSACRE, ex- DEATH / MANTAS) alongside drummer Jon Rudin. And, delving into the record, it was refreshing to find out that BONE GNAWER played Death Metal that kicks some serious ass. Sonically, this record unleashes every possible old school Swedish formula imaginable. The guitar tone is pure; chainsaw DISMEMBER grit with the drumming mirrors early ENTOMBED intensity. Unsurprisingly, Kam Lee’s vocals remain steeped in the same ancient, swampy diseases that built the Floridian scene. Yet, what sets “Idioms Of Gore” apart from standard contemporary slop is the sheer energy, heaviness in impact and authority the band displays across these nine tracks. Lengthening just 30 minutes, the songwriting is completely predictable, and the lyrics are unapologetically trivial as expected from the record theme. However, the riffs are so chunky and vicious they will get your head rolling regardless of how many times you’ve heard them before. Be it the ferocious opener ‘The Gory Details’, to the gore laden, super crushing ‘A Bone To Pick’, or the relentlessness of ‘Cannibal Weekend Feast’, ‘The Meat Of The Matter’ and ‘An Axe To Grind’, they all are forged in hook driven groove where riffs lead the charge like a cleaver to the skull. There are no gimmicks or pretentiousness here, just pure, cold melodies that feel as raw as the hand of a freshly laid corpse. Recorded at the Rotpit and solidly mixed and mastered by Jonny Pettersson, the production perfectly serves the band’s intention. It yields a muscular, thick sound that hits right in the gut with its raw and organic edges. Admittedly, the record suffers from a lack of variation, and those who already find Rogga’s massive catalog repetitive will likely find nothing here to change their minds. It is a release strictly tailored for the dedicated underground faithful. Ultimately, “Idioms Of Gore” doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it delivers a morbid feast of Death Metal that flies the old blood soaked flag with pride. As the album cover art gives away the first signs, it’s a record that flushes the mind with nostalgia and will surely leave one with a satisfyingly rancid aftertaste. Give this a loud blast and welcome the deadly gnawers to the table (unfortunately there’s an annoying pressing error on the CD edition, which features the album opener ‘The Gory Details’ twice and therefore lacks the closing track ‘Thru Dying Eyes’ – Frank). To find out more about the band and label, visit www.facebook.com/bone.gnawer.5, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063481655638