Starting out as a thrash metal band in 1999, Finland’s Gloria Morti underwent a couple of line-up changes and slowly evolved into a brutal yet atmospheric death metal band. After their well received debut record in 2004 the band now brings us their latest effort in extreme music; Eryx.

 

That this is a very promising and talented band takes no more than listening to one track. Grooving, pumping death, thrash and black metal bursts out of my speaker, making me air-play most of the instruments heard. Great brutal grunts and high-pitched nasty screams cover the brutal groove riffs and atmospheric keyboards (played by a very pretty girl) make sure the whole doesn’t sound like one pounding ride through hell, but offer a little relief where necessary. All this combined in a nice production makes Eryx a very nice record to listen to.

 

Although the overall sound is utterly brutal, they manage to deliver enough dynamics and variation to hold the listener’s attention throughout the tracks. It is therefore no surprise that the band has already shared the stage with acts like Mayhem, The Crown, Dissection and Zyklon. For Eryx they even got Zyklon’s lead guitarist Destructhor to play on the track ‘Sands Of Hinnom’. It is clear this band is rapidly gaining in strength and popularity.

To me it is very clear. The monstrous grooves, brutal riffing, interesting songs and mind-bending vocals together with this awesome production make Gloria Morti a death metal force to be reckoned with. I hope somebody takes these guys on tour soon, because I’d love to see them doing this live.