“Voratore” is the debut album from this Italian Death Metal outfit and it definitely comes through as one hell of a release. I really can’t remember a lot of Death Metal bands from the Italian underground. Shame on me. So finding bands such as CONTINUUM OF XUL, blending modern recording with an old school approach to composition and overall atmosphere is great. I think this album showcases a bunch of different influences combined to create an original style that never wanders off its path. Heavy and dense parts go along dynamic segments to twist one’s perception and change the pace. The constant variations only make the music more interesting. The slow eerie sections fuse with hyper fast outbursts and a constant and technical delivery. These guys know how to get the most out of their instruments and it shows. Dummer Marco Dal Pastro contributes with detailed and brilliant drum moments along his persistent and savage pounding. His drum work provides a solid foundation for Matteo Gresele’s guitars (and I assume bass, since there is no bassist listed on the album credits), with a vast array of palm mutes and tremolo riffs that contort and curl around Mattia De Fazio’s vocals. His deep growls and grunts fit perfectly the extreme nature of the music. Production wise, “Voratore” is full of dynamics and nuances masterfully merged into a wall of sound. The guitar tone is huge yet it doesn’t overwhelm the thump and clarity of the bass. And although I think the drums use some samples, the sound is focused and raw. Especially the cymbals that ring out nicely, making the drums feel more natural. Also, the vocals find their way, alternating between the spotlight and as another rhythm element depending on the song. The mix is a little clustered in my humble opinion. Every instrument could use some more space in their own frequency. But in this specific case, it works well and adds character to the band’s style. The master is loud and in your face, which is a recurring and already accepted practice nowadays. Also, I feel the need to highlight some of the lyrics. Songs such as ‘Key Of The Universe’ and ‘180 – N.O.X. Formulae’ have a really enthralling point of convergence when used in this extreme Metal context. All in all, “Voratore” is one extremely well written and performed Death metal record that any self respected extreme Metal fan should get. Follow the band at www.facebook.com/continuumofxul and get the album from their label www.facebook.com/unholydomainrecs