Album Review: Dying Fetus-Reign Supreme

Few bands have mastered the art of brutal death metal quite like Dying Fetus. For 20 years (their debut came out in 1996, but they were formed in 1991), Vocalist/guitarist John Gallagher and a revolving door of other members (Gallagher has been joined by the same lineup of longtime bassist/vocalist Sean Beasley and drummer Trey Williams since 2007 and it's arguably the strongest lineup of musicians Dying Fetus has ever had)  have made crushing, brutal, insanely heavy music with memorable riffs and a strange amount of catchiness for death metal. Their new record, Reign Supreme, holds up as one of the best, if not the best album in their extensive catalog.

Reign Supreme brilliantly combines the more straight-forward groove-based sound of early Dying Fetus with the more tech-death sound explored on the last couple Dying Fetus albums. This combination in sound makes Dying Fetus pack even more of a wallop than usual. I was even surprised by how heavy this album was, even for Dying Fetus who is one of the heaviest bands I've ever heard. Dying Fetus wastes little time in showing you just how this good this album will be. "Invert the Idols" starts the album with a just over two minute blast of crushing brutality. If you want know exactly what Dying Fetus is about, Listen to that song and it will leave a lasting impression. The blast beats, alternating pig-squealing from John Gallagher (no one does it better) and high-pitched screams from Sean Beasley), and excellent blend of groove and technical guitar work that have been a staple for Dying Fetus since their inception. After this, the album blasts through the three previously released songs "Subjected to a Beating", "Second Skin" and "From Womb to Waste" which offer more of the same great brutal death metal. Where Reign Supreme really becomes special though is the second half. The riffs on every song are just spectacular and the breakdowns are a lot more memorable than on the first half. "In the Trenches" is a contender for my favorite Dying Fetus song. The riff is fantastic and  it's damn near impossible to not headbang to and the breakdowns are punishing. I don't tend to go in mosh pits, but I have feeling if I saw "In the Trenches" live it potentially drive me into a pit. "Devout Atrocity" and "Revisionist Past" reminded me heavily of the strongest material from Descend Into Depravity with their fast, sweep-filled guitar sections and "The Blood of Power" closes out the album nicely with the slowest song on the album (it even contains an almost progressive solo, which was unexpected to say the least.)

Reign Supreme is at least Dying Fetus's best effort since Destory the Opposition, It might even be the best of their career. The intensity of their music has been turned up yet another notch and Dying Fetus's signature formula of brutality, memorable riffs, and crushing breakdowns is still very much in tact and effective as ever. Dying Fetus is probably at the top of the heap when it comes to old-school death metal bands recent efforts and Reign Supreme proves that point ever further.
4/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.In the Trenches
2.Invert the Idols
3.Revisionist Past