Stabwound - Alone At Last EP

Judging by the aptly titled opener, (Re)open Old Wounds, Alone At Last is an obvious attempt at tried-and-tested death metal. However, Glasgow's Stabwound seem to have the technical ability to pull this off. The anguished, piercing screams and devilish bellowing on The Eye and Devour Weakness sit atop a relentless foundation of furious drumming, and equally intense (if at times a little murky) fretwork. Along with the combination of atmospheric interludes, brain-melting solos and an unreadable logo, the band have all the markers of success in their particular field. It's a shame then that the low production values of this release threaten to stifle any semblance of individuality.