Band:	Decaying
Album:	Encirclement
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	January 02, 2012
A review by:	Doc G.

01. Initiation
02. Operation Citadel
03. From The Cradle To The Grave
04. Artillery Barrage
05. Battle Of The Somme
06. Conclusion
07. On The Path Of Subjugation
08. The Hell Of Verdun
09. Public Enlightenment
10. The Rising Sun

So there's been a lot of plain, basic death metal coming my way over the past few weeks for review. Vore and Ominous Crucifix both offered just that with varying degrees of boredom. Luckily, Decaying came along to restore my faith in death metal.

What's so good about it? Nothing really notable, actually. As previously stated, it's just death metal. Encirclement, however, just manages to make things click. This riffs are thick, and unbelievably catchy, while the vocals are good n' pissed off. Like those bears you poke with cattle prods before putting them in a boxing ring with a genetically engineered land-walking shark - a fine hobby celebrated by us upper class folk. Unlike bear-vs-shark betting, this a form of entertainment that's actually attainable for most of you folk, and highly encouraged. It could be considered "generic" in the same fashion Hail Of Bullets could be considered generic. In fact, Decaying sound unbelievably similar to those Dutch war fanatics at times, vocalist Matias Nastolin borrowing some gutteral styles from none other than Martin Van Drunen. This isn't a strict rip off mind you, he does balance those distinct vomit-sounding growls with something a little more typical most of the time.

Unfortunately, it is another one of those albums that really offers no surprises. It's death metal done with great precision for sure, and it still stands head-and-shoulders above most other typical death metal out there these days, but not enough for it to step out of that categorization. Typical death metal. The focus on evil riffs above pure brutal speed do give Decaying a little more elbow room to show off their particular style, but it can only go so far.

Textbook or not, Decaying really put out a nice, crusty little death metal album with Encirclement. Sure, it may not be the freshest sound on the block, but it does a great job of upholding the sound of pure death metal.