Nails: Unsilent Death

I'm surprised that the speakers on my sound system didn't die of fright when the opening blast of "Conform" roared through them in a manner that leaves you in no doubt that Unsilent Death from Nails is an album that has no other intentions than to turn up, ravage everything in its sights and quickly move on to wreak havoc somewhere else. Well I say Unsilent Death is an album, but I'm not really sure if a CD that hovers around the fourteen minute mark really counts as an album or not. One thing that isn't in question though is that Nails have unleashed ten songs that are every bit as sharp as their name suggests, with a grindcore blend of Napalm Death and Entombed with some Black Breath thrown in.

The fact that closing song "Depths" feels almost epic as it clocks in three minutes forty explains why the opening quartet of tracks roar past almost as one, but the sheer brutality with which they do has you gasping for air as the full force of the huge riffs and pummelling drums really hit home. The real strong point that Nails have across this collection of songs is that Unsilent Death isn't a one trick pony. Yes every song is crammed with a brutal violence, but while the short sharp smack of "Traitor" relies on blast beats and speed to make its mark, the title track slows things down slightly to make the most of a rich, thick groove that while slightly more subtle is no less effective. On that basis alone, I'd actually suggest that if you have thought of delving into this style of aggressive music but didn't know where to start that Unsilent Death would be a fantastic introduction.

Short, and well not so sweet, Unsilent Death is a mightily impressive album that marks Nails out as one of the best exponents of this style of music you're likely to hear. Very impressive indeed.

Track Listing
1. Conform
2. Scum Will Rise
3. Your God
4. Suffering Soul
5. Unsilent Death
6. Traitor
7. I Will Not Follow
8. No Servant
9. Scapegoat
10. Depths

Added: January 21st 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Southern Lord Records
Hits: 2662
Language: english

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