Where Ironcrosses Grow

Four years after the release of the controversial 'Hate Campaign' album, which marked the longest break in their discography, Dismember makes a triumphant return with an album that reaches new heights of greatness. In contrast to their Swedish counterparts, Entombed, who displayed signs of decline after their first three albums, Dismember managed to maintain a consistently high standard throughout their career. 'Where Ironcrosses Grow', released in 2004, seamlessly picks up where their 1997 effort 'Death Metal' left off. Despite the absence of guitarist Robert Sennebäck, who departed the band after 'Death Metal', the return of Richard Cabeza to the lineup propelled Dismember to deliver yet another outstanding album.

Matti Kärki's vocals are nothing short of phenomenal. They stand at the pinnacle of maturity, sounding deep and brutal, reminiscent of Dismember's early works. They go along perfectly with the lyrics, which continue to revolve around familiar themes such as death, war, and misanthropy. David Blomqvist on guitars once again demonstrates the significant influence of Iron Maiden on the band. While this influence is more evident than ever in this album, it doesn't compromise the brutality and sheer aggression that define Dismember's sound. On the contrary, the melodic leads and solos, strategically placed throughout the album, provide a perfect counterpoint to the heavy, chainsaw-like HM-2 guitar tone — the trademark sound in the entirety of Swedish death metal scene. Songs like 'Tragedy of the Faithful' or 'Sword of Light' are perfect examples of the marriage between the rotten death metal sound of Autopsy and the harmonious melodies of Iron Maiden.

Richard Cabeza, one of the primary songwriters for the band, returns after a two-year hiatus and is back on duty. His absence was apparent in the previous release 'Hate Campaign', which, although a decent album, failed to meet the established standards for a Dismember release. Fortunately, his contribution to this album comes with a renewed sense of creativity and energy. Fred Estby's contribution to the album is undoubtedly essential for its overall success. As the driving force behind Dismember, Estby's immaculate drumming, songwriting, and lyrical contributions are evident. Moreover, serving as the album's producer, Estby has excelled in capturing a muddy and heavy production reminiscent of Dismember's debut album. This production aligns seamlessly with the dark, abyssal atmosphere that brings Dismember back to their roots and to their original sound.

In summary, this album is criminally underrated. It marks a great return for Dismember, setting the stage for the subsequent two releases. Not only did it rejuvenate the spirit of Swedish death metal in the '00s, but it also paved the way for emerging bands such as Lik, who continued Dismember's legacy. With Dismember's recent reunion and Fred Estby's assurance of an upcoming album that will not disappoint, anticipation is high for a new release that promises to blow everyone's minds!

This one’s just kicking ass every time it comes on. Nothing stuck out at me on the first playthrough, which is odd as hell since many songs here are memorable in more than one way. So that’s my fault – being dumb enough / not paying attention to the riffs, breaks, solos, choruses, and just about anything that comes on after each song starts. Where Ironcrosses Grow starts out roaring and ends roaring; a loud, aggressive album all the way through, with that chainsaw guitar tone Dismember keeps alive leading the way.

The band, mostly a three-piece during these sessions, is backed by suitable production standards enriching the guitar and bass combo with vivid depth. Nothing out of any instrument is frail or tinny, and that goes for Kärki’s merciless growling, too. The thunderous bass booms as the guitars rupture with that nasty chainsaw tone. Estby’s pounds and hits are belligerent and competent, as it has always been since the early days. The focus is on the riffs first and foremost, with Kärki following with his bloodcurdling growls. Where Ironcrosses Grow is less gruesome than Death Metal, less dark than The God That Never Was, and tamer than Indecent & Obscene. It’s a middle ground that isn’t compelling as the debut or as melodic as Massive Killing Capacity, either, but it’ll get its point across. It's sort of on the same level as Hate Campaign in terms of riffs, songwriting, and melody.

There are also subtle doses of Gothenburg influences, particularly with solos and certain riffs. Dismember ensures nothing too melodic bogs the album down into mediocrity, since melodic death tends to do that. The length of each song is perfect, as well as the overall length of the album – nothing’s too short or dragging too long. Every song is crushing at various tempos and potent with very memorable riffs and events such as the break in “Chasing The Serpent” (reminiscent of “Skinfather” from Indecent & Obscene) and the outro to “Tragedy Of The Faithful”. “Tragedy Of The Faithful” has to be the catchiest song on Where Ironcrosses Grow since it treads heavily in Gothenburg territory (but enough to stay legitimately death metal). The solos / outro that start ~1:52 must be the height of the album’s lead prowess – major props to Blomqvist on this one.

Most now believe that Dismember revitalized their career with this one. This isn’t the most talked about of Dismember’s catalog, but it isn’t widely seen as the worst. Dismember never totally changed their sound, so Where Ironcrosses Grow can't be considered a return to form / character, really. It’s Dismember still writing and playing pulverizing riffs in ruthless songs without holding back the aggression (and doing it vehemently).

The ideas seemed to fade away with Hate Campaign and the future of Dismember looked menaced. That was not a brilliant album but not a disaster either, but often a bad album is preceded by a quite weak one and we all know this. However, four years of pause to gather together all the energies and power were more than enough to return to very good levels. Where The Iron Crosses Grow is the title, the declaration of their return. This album is simply excellent because it takes from everything Dismember did during their career to be melted together and create the violent assault we can find here.

The violence of the title track at the beginning of the album is something that drives me back to the very first album with a production in Massive Killing Capacity style, but more power for the instruments. The up tempo is heavily present and the vocals are always nasty, brutal and even so evocative but never chaotic and incomprehensive. The more melodic drops are present for the soloing but nothing more. “Forged with Hate” begins with a gunshot in order to give the right idea of the violence of this track. The intensity is on high levels, the riffs are dry, brutal and massive for quantity. Again, few melodies can be found but here the violence reign supreme. The structures are strong, various enough to capture you in every single part.

“Me-God” is less impulsive, showing a bit of groove. The mid-paced tempo is present but the overall atmosphere is doomy and really dark. The vocals have a more important role here. The up tempo sections are always present, sporadically but the rest points on the dark approach. “Tragedy of the Faithful” is again faster even if a few riffs are far less impulsive and the melodic death metal has again a great influence on them, solos included. “Chasing the Serpent” and its mid-paced progression with lots of tremolos is good again for the atmosphere even if the fast paces punctually enter for lots of parts. “Where Angels Fear to Tread” has a gloomy progression thanks to strange noises on the background and the slow tempo.

“Sword of Light” is a return to speed even if the riffs are not astounding. They are simply fast, on tremolo and good to sustain a high level of brutality. As always, we have to slow down by the solo section in which the melody comes out too. “As the Coins Upon Your Eyes” is good to snap your head because the bass drums work here fits perfectly for that kind of riffs as we can notice lots of up tempo parts too. The stop and go parts are multiple, raising the intensity. “Children of the Cross” again points on the sheer heaviness of the slow riffs with the hammering drums behind. The riffs are simple so they can be so heavy and create a gloom atmosphere, soon erase by the speed of the last song “As I Pull the Trigger”. The melodic hint never goes away but the violence is overwhelming.

All in all, this is a good Dismember comeback. This album achieves the goal of being brutal with good structures but always with the melodic lines to give more variety to the songs. Good work, guys.

It is very relieving to know that DismembeR have still kept that Swedish trademark death metal sound which they helped create. I'm very proud of them for not changing one single bit to accomodate for any of the crap trends that passed by, which is one of the reasons (apart from the fact that they are all brilliant musicians) why I respect DismembeR so much.

Now onto my review:
Everything about this album rules in my opinion, Matti Karki`s vocals are unrelenting, evil, extremely harsh, and they have that "fuck you" agression which is really hard to find in death metal these days. Matti's vocals slay completely, and he's still got the energy/enthusiasm that he had when Dismember were young (most death metal vocalists lose their enthusiasm after their debut album or their second album, eg Glen Benton from Deicide).

The guitaring is awesome, they got that traditonal Stockholm style trademark death metal riffing, as well as some doomy riffing in some parts that adds a dark atmosphere, and there is also a fair share of great melodic riffing (not the happy-go-lucky shit guitaring that In Flames have degraded to, I refuse to call those riffs), but every part of every song the riffing has attitude to it and each track has memorable and catchy riffing, and some of the best guitar solos I've heard in my life have come from this album, these guys know how to handle their chainsaws well! As a guitarist I can really admire the guitar work done on this album.

The drumming is frowned upon by brootal trendy "metal heads" for not having blastbeats, but honestly, I actually couldn't give a fuck, this is proper old school Stockholm styled Swedish death metal which is not just about being "brootal", I'm not a fan of neanderthall brootal death metal with drumming that just has blastbeats from beginning to end (atleast this sounds like drumming, in most "brootal" death the blastbeats sound like someone typewriting, whereas the drumming here has a thick sound that makes it sound awesome!). If you listen to metal just because it's "brootal" then I feel very sorry for you. The drumming here is actually very similar to thrash drumming, it focuses more on catchiness and changing of pace to match the pace of the guitar, or slowing down to keep to the pace of the guitar rather than just blasting the song to shit, also the drumming here allows for the guitar to stand out more.

Each song here is memorable and stands out in it's own way, there is no need to use the skip button to change to the next song unless you'r "brootal". The cd kicks in with the title track "Where Iron Crosses Grow" which is a straight to the point kick ass aggressive Swedish death song. The next track "Forged with Hate" starts out with a gunshot, which suites the song because it is also as aggressive as the first song (to avoid overusing the word "aggressive", I'm just going to tell you here that the whole cd is aggressive) but it differs with the first song in that there is some melodic guitar work and an awesome melodic guitar solo that tears through the song! The third track "Me-God" is very doomy and dark with some awesome evil doom riffing, this track has "Autopsy worship" written all over it. The fourth track "Tragedy of the Faithfull" is another melodic song, with one the coolest melodic guitar solos I've heard in my life, I'll be honest, this guitar solo has been stuck in my head for about 2 years now and everytime I hear it, it sounds better. The next song "Chasing the Serpent" starts with an audio sample where you hear a congregation with people preying, that sounds like it was done in a Satanic Church, and then the song kicks off with some doom riffing which creates an evil and dark atmosphere, then the pace kicks up and it proggresses into another awesome DismembeR trademark song. "Where Angels Fear to Tread" rules completely, it has a slightly slower pace than the rest of the songs, but it has so much attitude in the riffing and vocals that makes up for the loss of speed, it also has some doom implemented into it and an awesome bad ass guitar solo toward the end. "Sword of Light" also rules, it kicks in with awesome guitaring, and the vocals kick in 2 seconds into the song, the pace picks up immensely and this song has super fast guitaring that completey rules, the guitar solo on this track is really awesome and beautiful in a dark way. The next track "As the Coins upon your Eyes" is definately one of the best songs Dismember have made, it starts off with slow doom riffing, the pace moves up to midpace with the same riffing being done with tremolo picking, and then the song changes completely and they blast you with some chainsaw fast catchy as fuck riffing along with some aggressive vocals, and they keep aggression up untill the end of the song, and they also pull off another rad guitar solo (which is really awesome!). "Children of the Cross" is a slower anti Christian themed song with morbid doom riffing that just reeks of evilness, this song is very atmospheric and awesome with a dark guitar solo, then the cd jumps into "As I pull the Trigger" which is my favourate song on the cd, it kills from the beginning to the end with awesome fast paced lightning riffage done the Swedish way, it has some really awesome dark melodies, and the coolest evil guitar solo I have heard in my life which gives me goose bumps whenever I hear it, and DismembeR end the cd on a good note!

This cd is a cult classic with superior songwriting, it is awesome from beginning to end, and I'd reccomend it to everyone with a good taste in metal, strictly not for trendy retards. This is another perfect album in DismembeR's discography! :)

The fourth track on this album, “Tragedy of the Faithful”, is mostly unabashed In Flames worship. Poor Dismember! I hear this and I imagine the band curled up in the fetal position, waving a white flag.

Still, that’s easily my favorite song on the album. Not a good sign.

Some Gothenburgish solos or riffs appear in maybe half the songs. “Me-God” swipes heavily from Autopsy, particularly from their song “Ridden with Disease”, and there’s a bass bit towards the end that makes me think of “In the Grip of Winter”. There are also some other parts that sound very much like Autopsy in the sixth and ninth tracks, and number five has a riff from “Raining Blood” in it.

Other than that, expect old school style Swedish death metal, of course, faithful to formula. Just whatever riffs happened to be lying around, I suppose, the drums merrily snare-bass-snaring away. Although I guess there’s not anything horribly wrong with it, I’d be lying to you if I said any of it actually stuck in my head.

About the only other Dismember I’ve heard is Like an Ever Flowing Stream. To tell the truth, I’m not much into the old Entombed sound, but I really like that album, a great deal more than Left Hand Path even – I think it has a great atmosphere, and even though it sticks fairly closely to one style there are a lot of little distinctive touches here and there that add a lot of character to the music.

“Ironcrosses” is really lacking distinctive touches in comparison, and it’s just not nearly as catchy or creative or well-done in general. I’d wager that not an immense amount of effort went into this album. It’s very middle-of-the-road and formulaic and largely made up of other bands’ ideas; I get bored with it very quickly.

Even though they may not be the most popular DM band in the genre, no one can deny the cult status of Dismember – the kings of a metal style often referred to as ‘Swedeath’ (a style which they usurped and conquered with their killer debut, “Like an Ever Flowing Stream”). When a veteran band like Dismember goes without releasing an album for four years, fans are definitely going to expect something bigger and better than their previous work upon their reversion. Without a doubt, this puts a lot of pressure on the band – they need to keep fresh sound, but maintain that traditional style. People had high expectations and their rabid hunger for Swedeath needed to be quenched: kind of like a drug addict going through withdrawal. Finally, four long and quiet years have passed…was it worth the wait?

RUUUUUAAAAGHH!!! HELL FUCKING YES!!!

Ladies and gentleman…say hello to THE death metal album of the year! Dismember have stormed the scene once again, leaving many paralyzed, dead, and brain damaged with another winning album that makes for a glorious return, as well as exceeds the attempts of others. ‘Where Ironcrosses Grow’ is a counterattack against everything wrong with death metal today: repetitive, no-rhythm, listless and boring wannabe bands. What really kills death metal today is apathy – there is little to no passion IN the music. Some death metal musicians may have passion for music (You’re definitely going to need it if you ever want to survive in the business), but in order for it to be good; you have to apply just as much enthusiasm to the music.

Dismember combine the elements of old school death metal (Autopsy, Possessed, and early Death) with good old slabs of thrash and add their own melodic death spin to the mix. Gothenburg bands...step aside, because you’ve been schooled; schooled by a band that represents what REAL melodic death metal is all about. What it should always be about is baking a big, thick, and delicious cake of pure death metal, and then icing that tasty and dangerous morsel with the sweetness of melody. I don’t care if you like cake or not, bitch, you’re going to eat it anyways!

Every single song is packed with raging heavy death metal riffs, sharp axe-like melody, and murderous lyrics that any psychopath could appreciate. The ear raping begins with ‘Where Ironcrosses Grow’ which is a taste of pure old school death metal. Here, the war begins and there is no turning back! Riffs…ATTACK! Within seconds you’ve been blown to bits by a the rapid cannon-like drums while the guitars are causing carnage within your brain and smashing your face into the wall with powerful metal churning rhythm and punishing melodies.

You’ll definitely get your fair share of medical bills as repercussion for headbanging with the speed demons. Songs like ‘Forged With Hate’ will get your neck going when it opens up with a chilling sound of a gun cocking, and then BANG, you’re forced right into the whirlwind. Furious tremolo picking seethes in every single swift song. Songs like ‘As The Coins Upon Your Eyes’ possess some slick chugging strumming, until it builds up to a tremolo riff extravaganza, leaving nothing but a pile of mush where your brain once sat. The drums blast away while the guitars and bass are busy slapping you in the face.

The heavy and more spaced out songs trudge along, like soldiers marching in a muddy swamp. ‘Where Angels Fear To Tread’ opens with the aforementioned styled riffs and continues with some spoken word about World War II, until….whoa, shit, what is that sound? It’s the sound of bombs dropping and gun fire underneath the traversing riffs. The lyrics lead me to conclude that this is a song about America dropping the two atomic bombs on Japan, and the horror of the many noncombatant deaths. Steady drums with booming bass and loud guitars take control to keep that marching feeling going.

The majority of the album possesses thrashy death songs, more than slower ones. Tracks like ‘As I Pull the Trigger,’ and ‘Tragedy of the Faithful’ are some of the many forceful songs you’ll encounter on this little disc. Maybe you’ll find more comfort with the less aggressive tenors of ‘Children of the Cross,’ ‘Chasing the Serpent,’ or ‘Where Angels Fear to Tread,’ but only a damn fool would shrug off either styles. You want diversity? Diversity is there.

The production is very punchy, more so than any of their other albums, allowing for a pleasantly crunchy and serene experience. Fred Estby’s drums blast, crash, and stomp the asses of the weak with pummeling blast beats and other bone breaking drumming styles. The trademark Dismember chainsaw guitars retain their place in the band; buzzing loudly with the infused fervency of napalm. Maybe Bruce Campbell should consider replacing his chainsaw arm with one of these slaughter machines. How anyone not love that grinding riff monster?

Matti Karki’s vocal performance is nothing short of resembling a raging madman gone astray from an asylum. He spits out the lyrics on cue with machinegun speed and amazing monstrous growls. Kids, let this be a lesson to you - don’t ever do bad stuff, because when you die, you’ll be on your way to Hell. When you descend to your eternal torment you will hear a demon bellowing with the rage of Hell itself…could that be…Satan? Nah, it’s just Matti Karki working on the lyrics for the new Dismember album.

Personal album highlights – As I Pull the Trigger, Tragedy of the Faithful, Where Angels Fear to Tread, and everything else.

If you ever decide to buy any new death metal album this year, make it this one. Heck, if you decide to buy any album at all, go with this. If you don’t enjoy this piece of death metal greatness, well, I’m sorry; I can’t help you. Why? Because you’re already dead.

A staple band in the style of death metal, "Dismember" has always been around without a dramatic change to their style. Unlike most acts who try to change their style every album to best suit what is popular at moment and what isn't, these guys have always been playing the death metal everyone knows and loves.

Your attacked with no warning from the start with blistering drums and insane guitar riffs, then greeted by a shotgun blast to the head with 'Forged With Hate'. And, from that point on, it's just a non-stop roller coaster ride in and out of an audio nightmare brandished with war and death.

The album has it's moments where it gives you time to actually sit down and reclaim your thoughts after having them blown to pieces, which is prominant in the track 'Where Angels Fear To Tread'. And the vocals aren't the kind where you don't understand a word. Avoiding the all-too-ordinary deep gutteral vocals, you are greeted with an amazingly clear album with harsh, rough vocals that understandable right from the start.

The lyrics are great. The band has managed to continue creating amazing albums with little or no profanity with this one, showing that even after roughly four years of silence, they still have what it takes to present you with amazing metal on an album from start to finish.

There aren't any real problems with the album. The riffs are great, but aren't really impressive. The guitar work and the drums are fast, but they do leave you wanting more from time to time. It's not a completely original attempt, but it is still a damned good one.

If you are looking for something completely original, this might not be your first stop. The band has held onto their original style and sound for years creating amazing albums one right after another. Many of the solos are fantastic, but most parts of the album leave one craving more out of the tones and riffs that inhabit the album. If you are looking for a damn good death metal album that will make your head bang uncontrolably in the air, then this is an album you simply must obtain. It's not "old-school" death, and not "new-school" death. It's just death metal "done right".