The Grotesquery - Tales Of The Coffin Born

Rogga Johansson seems like he’s never going to stop producing Death Metal. This Swedish riff machine has probably decided to participate in more projects than Steve Di Giorgio, hahaha! In a really short period of time we have seen him releasing stuff with BONE GNAWER, PAGANIZER, THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE and more. Let’s see what he’s up to this time.

THE GROTESQUERY is alive for almost a year, since it was formed in early 2009 by Johansson and the one and only Kam Lee (MASSACRE, MANTAS/DEATH). They gathered some talented musicians from bands like THIS HAVEN and LIKLUKT and decided to release this Death Metal story through the German Cyclone Empire Records.

"Tales Of The Coffin Born" is actually a concept album inspired by horror literature. The whole story is about a man who tries to save his son from death using necromancy and black magic, and taking a life for every year his child has to live. The child slowly turns into a grotesque monster lurking in the shadows playing with dead bodies etc. This story actually reminds of an old horror film whose name I can’t really remember now…

Anyway, the music is not a surprise, since even though Johansson has numerous projects, they all walk on the same musical path, Death Metal. THE GROTESQUERY is a fine sample of European Death Metal, influenced by bands like BOLT THROWER, GOREFEST, even some VADER. The tempo varies, since you may come across relentless Death Metal outbreaks, as well as mid tempo murderous parts where Rogga really knows how to create a deadly epic atmosphere. This is built upon a solid rhythm section and the best way to complete this is Kam Lee’s vocals, who actually "color" the songs in a grotesquely beautiful way.

Of course this album is nothing groundbreaking, but it seems like a more than fine option for Death Metal maniacs.

Album highlights: "Necromantic Ways", "Spirits Of The Dead", "Sepulcher Macabre".