Pestilence - Resurrection Macabre (2009)

Back in 1989, Pestilence created what I believe to be one of the finest death metal efforts ever with their album, 'Consuming Impulse.' A year later singer, Martin Van Drunen split from the band to join the recently formed band Asphyx, but it didn't slow Pestilence down as guitarist, Patrick Mameli stepped up and took the vacant vocal slot and the band released another legendary record titled, 'Testimony of the Ancients' in '91. 'Spheres' followed in '93 with most of the death metal elements disappearing in favor of a fusion/progressive metal sound, which at the time wasn't met with much of a favorable response from fans and eventually it lead to the members splitting the following year and going there separate ways. Pestilence was considered dead forever.

Thirteen years went by with no one hearing from Patrick or even really knowing his whereabouts until he suddenly reemerged with the groove metal band, C-187 in '06 and shortly thereafter people began asking about Pestilence and of course this lead to the reformation of the band in '08. In early '09 the fifth Pestilence album, 'Resurrection Macabre' was released with Patrick handling the guitars/vocals, while Testimony bassist Tony Choy re-joined and new member Peter Wildoer filled in on drums.

It's hard to describe Resurrection Macabre because in one hand it does sound reminiscent of the bands last two records though is seems like there's a little tiny bit of Consuming Impulse within as well as some newer influences that weren't with the band back in their heyday.

Each and every time I listen to this record I think, 'Man, this isn't too bad, not to bad at all.' However it's then I realize that there isn't any single song present that really stands out and grabs me, though the recording as a whole really has some sort of gripping vibe to it, which really doesn't make much sense to me. I mean, I can totally put this record on and headbang and feel myself getting all kinds of charged up, which is great and also one of the things I always enjoyed about the old Pestilence albums, but the fact that no single song stands out must sound just as awkward as it is to experience it.

In the end I feel this is a strong come back album though the three re-recordings were probably not necessary (why fuck with the stuff from your past?). If you're a fan of the old Pestilence albums then definitely give this album a shot as it has a little bit of everything from their heyday as well as some new sounds and I'm quite sure you'll end up enjoying some, most or all of it.