DRÅP
Roten Till Allt Ont
(Xtreem Music)
30:17min

Is it already three years ago that DRÅP released their first strike “En Naturlig Död”? The Swedish Crusties really splitted some skulls and brains with that album, including mine of course. Be it three years or not, the five piece now reaches out for further serious destruction with a new record. “Roten Till Allt Ont” is the name of this blood feast, which means “The Root Of All Evil”. And the evil that DRÅP is talking or better screaming about is that old fucking problem named money. Not just money itself, but all the greed and ruthlessness it brings out in most humans, resulting in a very devastating view on mankind. Fitting in this context, words like “blood feast” and “ruthless” are just a vague description of the latest evolution of DRÅP. During the last three years, the band matured as musicians and inhaled other influences without straying off the basic direction they took. Thus “Roten Till Allt Ont” became a monster of an album that may be filed under the genre “Crust”, but in fact is more than that. The name TRAGEDY already came to mind listening to the first album, but this time, there are a lot more moments that remind of Portland’s (maybe) finest. Not only musically, but also in terms of intensity and the way melodies are integrated into the brute sound of the band. And sometimes I even feel reminded of early NEUROSIS, sometimes I hear a huge Metal, especially Death Metal edge in the songs, much more present than on “En Naturlig Död”. But the impetus of that album is present as well on “ Roten Till Allt Ont”, especially in the opening ‘Ner På Knä’ (translates as: ‘Down On Your Knees’) that is in the tradition of ‘Preperat’ or ‘ Övervåld’. But the mid tempi are the ones that, in combination with a special groove, dominate the present sound of DRÅP. These are not just present in the title track but in the general direction of the album. Imagine the surprisingly fine instrumental tune ‘Eremit’ with its dominating desperately sounding harmonies and an overall atmosphere fitting the title in another speed, it won’t work. The rudely grooving ‘Yttersta Domen’ (‘The Final Judgment’ in English) is another fantastic example that groove and midtempo is not automatically killing the brutality of a band. ‘Ärrvävnad’ underlines the increased load of Metal influences in the sound of DRÅP, the same goes for ‘Hat För En Livstid’. The latter even features pretty prominent help from the Metal scene, since David Nilsson from FERAL did guest vocals here. On the other hand, the great, pretty odd guitar harmonies are huge and create atmospheric parallels to FALL OF EFRAFA. As if these seven killer tunes weren’t enough, DRÅP saved the real highlight until the very end. ‘Nederlag’ (translates as: ‘Defeat’) starts as a maiming, break laden finisher that leaves no stone unturned and even offers a short Metal solo. But a surprising intense groove break in the middle gives the song a twist into a different direction and captivates with a lead guitar motive that really digs holes in my mind. One can not close an album better than DRÅP did with this one. If you want to check out an album that will make my Top 10 list of the year for sure, you need to lend “Roten Till Allt Ont” your ears. Visit: www.facebook.com/drapswe or www.xtreemmusic.com

Thomas Meyer

Thomas Meyer

Related reviews / interviews:
DRÅP - En Naturlig Död (Mauricio "Rusty" Sanchez)
DRÅP - En Naturlig Död (Thomas Meyer)
DRÅP - Interview (Thomas Meyer)

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