EXUMER - Death Mask Messiah

The title track 'Death Mask Messiah' wastes no time unleashing the spirit of '80s thrash, but with enough venom to keep nostalgia from taking over. Mem V. Stein spits every line with conviction, while razor-edged riffs and pounding drums drive the track relentlessly forward. Shifts in pace add movement to the raw attack, complemented by aggressive solo work that fits naturally into the chaos. There is an unmistakable old-school character here, with flashes of TESTAMENT and EXODUS, yet EXUMER delivers it with an energy that feels anything but tired. A fists-in-the-air opener that immediately gets the blood moving. 

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Speed takes command in 'Blinding Skies', driven by crushing drums that barely allow the composition to catch its breath. Once Mem V. Stein's vocals tear into the mix, the controlled chaos feels complete, while the riffs occasionally retreat into the background and give the overall sound additional depth. It may not hit with quite the same immediate force as the opener, but that hardly makes it less effective. Add a strong solo towards the end, and 'Blinding Skies' remains one hell of a thrash track.'Eradication' turns the groove up considerably, with the verses locking into an infectious rhythm before the chorus threatens to unleash complete chaos. A thick bass line pushes through beneath some of the album's most memorable riffs, giving the relentless attack even more weight. EXUMER doesn't slow down for a second, yet the songwriting remains catchy enough that the track was already stuck in my head after the first listen. Fast, hard and made for a good old-fashioned mosh pit, this is EXUMER doing exactly what they do best. 

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'Serpent' tears into the album with a heavily distorted, raw riff before Mem V. Stein's commanding vocals take over. The songwriting is immediately catchy and brings out some of EXUMER's strongest qualities, backed once again by energetic drumming and tight instrumentation. Yet beneath all that aggression sits a surprising sense of optimism and forward momentum. Melodic guitar attacks collide with cut-throat solos, giving the track plenty of bite without sacrificing its infectious character. Another strong display of just how alive and hungry this band still sounds. 

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'Frozen Ground' brings the album to a formidable close with speed, aggression and melody colliding in one final attack. Mem V. Stein delivers perhaps his most venomous vocal performance of the record, while the rhythm section operates like clockwork beneath riffs that practically demand some serious headbanging preferably without breaking your neck in the process. The bridge impresses with another sharp solo as the backing guitars keep the momentum running at full force. Then, just when you expect one last thrash assault, EXUMER pulls the rug out from under you: clean guitar lines coloured by a chorus effect bring the album to an unexpectedly restrained end. But EXUMER isn't quite finished yet.

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As a final encore, they turn to NASTY SAVAGE with a cover of 'Unchained Angel', bringing a healthy dose of old-school nostalgia into the closing minutes. What makes the tribute even more special is the appearance of Nasty Ronnie himself on vocals, giving the track an unmistakable connection to the original. Rather than simply reproducing the song, EXUMER inject their own energy into it while clearly respecting its roots. A fitting nod to thrash metal history, and one last reason to raise your fist before Death Mask Messiah finally comes to an end.

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With "Death Mask Messiah", EXUMER proves that looking forward doesn't mean forgetting where you came from. Razor-sharp riffs, venomous vocals and a relentless rhythm section capture the raw spirit of classic thrash while sounding hungry rather than nostalgic. Catchy, aggressive and packed with energy, this is a veteran band that still has plenty of fire left.

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SCORE 8.5/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY