Zyklon-Aeon
(Candlelight/PHD, 2003)

I have always heard great things about Zyklon. I've never really taken the chance on them though, I didn't really want to spend $30 on an import cd. So I was more then happy to find a promo of the new Zyklon in my mail box. Let me tell you, Zyklon may just be the saving grace for death metal. The underground death metal scene still churns out great bands in the more extreme styles of death metal, but Zyklon recalls the days that Morbid Angel held the death metal throne. They take that core sound that Morbid Angel created and add quite a bit to it, coming out sounding like the best death metal band these ears have heard in years.

Sonic pummeling would be a great description of the Zyklon sound. When the drummer from Emperor is onboard, you know you are in for one hell of a tight album. This band is so tight that it's sickening. When they kick up the tempo and show off their more black metal side, they leave lesser bands in the dust. Vicious blasting sections lead into slower pounding double bass filled riffs. The band also has their fare share of blackened thrash riffs. It's a varied album that definitely has something for every extreme genre fan. Black metal fans will get into this because of the Emperor connection, death metal fans will dig this because it's the best death metal band to come around in years, and grindcore fans will be able to get into the insane blasting.

I was definitely impressed by the varied vocal attack. The main singing voice is sort of a half growl. It's deep, but not to the point that it will rattle the subwoofers. It reminds me quite a bit of David Vincent actually. It's powerful, but you can still hear the lyrics. The other main vocal style is an almost talking style. It reminds me quite a bit of King Fowley from Deceased, but much heavier then what he does. It's definitely nice to find an album that is interesting both musically and vocally.

If you've lost any faith in death metal, Zyklon will definitely kick your ass back into it. This is one of the few bands that recalls the days when Morbid Angel and Deicide were making the best music of their careers.