Some (many?) think the band garners much unwarranted (positive) press and attention and I cannot say that I wholly disagree. On record, TBDM is a fantastic example of a Death Metal band that ignores a lot of trends other than playing their face-flaying style extremely well. Fluorishes of Black Metal, Thrash, Hardcore, and even Classic Metal appear throughout this album and the blend is quite potent. Unfair comparisons to Carcass or references to TBDM as “the next At the Gates” are superfluous as the band stands on its own merits. Live, I must say the band have not quite found their stride... but they surely will.

Back to “Miasma,” this album’s 33+ minutes is chock full of crushing riffs, blazing leads, plentiful blast-beats, rumbling bass, some thick grooves, and vocals that are primarily shouted (a la Hardcore and Black Metal at once) but accented with massive guttural bellowing. There is some very good stuff on display here, folks, particularly new drummer Zach Gibson who is all of 19 years old. Absolutely killer drumming! Bottom line: this is nothing new but it is well executed. Fans of almost any variety of Death Metal apply. Metalcore kids might. Non-purist Black Metal fans should like this, too.

written by Tony Belcher

Playing time: 33.26