Band:	The Dead
Album:	Ritual Executions
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	June 2010

01. Burn Your Dead
02. Cannibal Abottoir
03. Centurion
04. Born In A Grave
05. Ritual Executions
06. Blood Angel
07. Death Metal Suicide

Ritual Executions by the Australian The Dead is the first release of the brand new India-based record label Diabolical Conquest Records. We're actually talking about a re-release here, as the band already self-released the album in '09. I haven't heard the first version of the album, but I think it is fair to say that if your album is re-released by a real label and remixed & remastered by Aphotic Mote of the unholy Portal, this is the definite version.

With names like these, can you expect anything else than filthy, old school Death metal? Of course not. And that's what this is. Ritual Executions is Death metal enriched with groove, a slightly drugged-out atmosphere, lavish and trippy solos and a heavy load of Doom for good measure. You can trace the influences of a lot of different bands in their sound but in my opinion, when the music is this delicious, that's far from necessary.

My only point of criticism for this smudgy brew is that I'd like it a bit closer to the point of boiling. A little more exuberant, so to speak. It may be a strange request, but as a lover of sick and vile music I'm always looking for the next most diabolic thing and well, to be honest I'm convinced that The Dead have not yet fully explored their mental disorders. It's a good second album guys, but next time you better blow me away!

For the fans of doomy and dirty Death metal as well as groovier, sludgier acts.