No! I was not ready for this at all. Australia’s BEYOND MORTAL DREAMS have sculptured an impressive slab of Death Metal delivered with no remorse or doubt. “Abomination Of The Flames”, their second full length, steps up from the get go. The rhythm section is a barrage of putrid sludge, the vocals are a dense atmospheric layer and the guitars chart unknown territories on every single track of the album. Something so abominable and dirty had to be from down under, Greece is another contender though! This is a perfect example of melody entwining with brutality, BEYOND MORTAL DREAMS have meticulously put together note after note to simply demolish monuments built by humans. No, this isn’t a brand new exercise in delivery, this is a stellar example of one! If you want to check this album out, I’d suggest track # 3, ‘Deficit In Flesh’, which kicks off with a MORBID ANGEL’esque solo and launches into a relentless round of sonic assault, the drummer is literally a machine. Usually I’m quick to call out skin-work like this, but the drums sound absolutely monstrous, jabbing the airways at every available opportunity, the drummer stands out on this record from start to finish. I wonder how they would sound live? That is all I’ve been thinking about since I heard this thunderous slab of Death Metal drenched in modernity whilst it emerges from the shadows of the old school rule book. The vocoder on ‘They Are Seven’ is fantastic! It immediately took me back to CYNIC’s ‘Veil Of Maya’. The guitars on this track have an aura of mystery, it almost feels like they’re invoking the Black Metal spirit onto the writing. “Abomination Of The Flames” is just 40 minutes long and engages you from start to finish. If you like your Death Metal, you have to check this out. I don’t know if this will figure in the album of the year lists, but this definitely will feature in the top albums of the month list for sure. This was a pleasant surprise! Recommended! For more BEYOND MORTAL DREAMS information, please visit: www.facebook.com/beyondmortaldreams, label contact: www.facebook.com/lavadome