Band:	Skeletal Remains
Album:	Fragments Of The Ageless
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	March 08, 2024
A review by:	omne metallum

01. Relentless Appetite
02. Cybernetic Harvest
03. To Conquer The Devout
04. Forever In Sufferance
05. Verminous Embodiment
06. Ceremony Of Impiety
07. Void Of Despair
08. Unmerciful
09. ...Evocation (The Rebirth)
10. Messiah Of Rage [Hate Eternal cover] [bonus]

One of Betty White's limbs.

Skeletal Remains are one of a rare breed of bands, namely those who have delivered consistently high quality output throughout their careers. Keeping their record clean, the band continue to breathe new life into OSDM (like resuscitating a corpse), and do it in a highly enjoyable fashion. Fragments Of The Ageless is much like a classic sports car without any brakes; you get in and blast off until the ride is over. Skeletal Remains turn things up to eleven and run with it from start to finish, while dragging listeners along on a brutalizing and enjoyable journey with blast beats, riffs and demonic growls.

Highlighting the band's ability to mix things up, the band start "To Conquer The Devout" with a groove-infused intro section that pulls you in before flying off the handle. Williams' ability to add little inflections as he keeps the tempo at runaway train speeds is matched by De La O's ability to produce an enjoyable riff and solo without it getting lost in the blur of speed. "Verminous Embodiment" sees the band lean more into their groove side of their sound without sacrificing power in the process, in turn creating one of the highlights of the album.

A four-year break between albums is not something fans of a band enjoy, but considering how it's given the two new members since the band's last album time to settle in, taking their time in putting out Fragments Of The Ageless has ultimately been worth it. Rush's bass work on tracks like "Forever In Sufferance" and "Void Of Despair" gives the groove sections a well-rounded, hard-hitting edge that ensures the band's power is not sacrificed during these moments when the band aren't in full on attack mode. Williams manages to put personality into his playing, which is no mean feat given he's effectively just playing at full tilt throughout.

Where Fragments Of The Ageless comes undone is in the mix; while it sounds powerful and coherent, there are changes you can't help but feel would improve the record. The biggest issue is that of Rush's bass work; it isn't given its own space in the mix, and as a result is largely buried for much of the album, except for the groove sections during which it can breathe. The second is that Williams' drums are too high in the mix; lowering them or placing them underneath the rest of the band would feel more propulsive, but instead it is a constant presence on the side of the mix, so the kick drums are constantly smashing against your head (which is enjoyable, though it does lose its impact after 45 minutes).

While OSDM worship is something plenty of bands aim for, but are not able to pull off convincingly, Skeletal Remains are able to do it seemingly effortlessly. Fragments Of The Ageless sees the band continue to carve out a bloodsoaked niche for themselves in a crowded and loud scene.