MONSTROSITY - RISE TO POWER - CONQUEST
Welcome back Monstrosity! The Floridian quintet had lost much of its momentum since the release of its promising debut Imperial Doom. The last couple of albums seemed to falter and the highlight of the band's live performance had sadly become a Slayer cover version. Things have now changed!
Rise To Power is an incredible punch in the face delivered with force, skill and passion. It is immediately obvious from the beginning note of album-opener The Exordium (anyone remember Brutality's Cryptorium?) that this Monstrosity is a changed abomination. Returning vocalist Jason Avery might have lost his hair, but he offsets that by delivering a roar befitting a band mastering the death metal art. His voice even reminisces that of older singer Corpsegrinder occasionally. The guitars have a new-found bite to them savaging and maiming without mercy. Talk here is of beefy riffs, meaningful rhythms and even deft leads - no noise solos here! The guitar sound even occasionally veers into Sinister territory. Band leader Lee Harrison is not far behind. His hands and feet work the drums with rejuvenated vigour.
What comes most to mind upon repeated listens to Rise To Power is the album's masterful nature. Everything falls into place on this album. The energy level on this slab of brutality is second to none and given the band's skillful instrumentation Monstrosity has certainly earned a new lease on the fans' attention. Even the dead will be up and paying attention by the time minutes of unrivaled guitar abuse screeches the album to a halt. Rise To Power is a towering surprise from a band many had written off as dead. - Ali "The Metallian"