Deadborn – Mayhem Maniac Machine (Apostasy Records)

Drummer Slavek Foltyn and bandmate lead vocalist Mario Petrovic have previous within their home country’s metal scene. Both performed with fellow Germanic death metallers Necrophagist in the early ‘00s and since then have been plying their hellish pounding and growling wares in the form of Deadborn. Five years on from debut album Stigma Eternal, the brutality has been ramped up on their second album, Mayhem Maniac Machine.

Alongside Foltyn and Petrovic is the demonic duo of Jo Morath and Kevin Olasz (without a permanent bass player, bottom end duties were performed in the studio by Christian Neumann), a superb guitar team who keep the stabbing pace and the melody sustained; the brilliantly titled Profanic Reanimation and Second Order Cybernetics fizz along thanks to some tremendous riffs.

The vocals really stand out on Mayhem Maniac Machine. Petrovic is a talented guitarist who put down his axe sometime in 2004 to become vocalist only. So many death metal singers rely on cupping the microphone and spitting out incomprehensible bile while doing their best Corpsegrinder (Cannibal Corpse) impression whereas Petrovic comes across as a man who has spent time working on his vocals and lyrics getting them to an incredibly high standard. Throw in some inspired harmonies and it’s impossible not to be impressed.

Musically too Deadborn are astonishing. The aforementioned guitars are electrifying thanks to Morath and Olasz’s incredible speed and synchronicity. The heavy chugging riffs are filled with lightning-quick fills and the odd squealing lead break. Foltyn’s impeccable drumming never lets up; like smiling while getting battered by a team of giant angry wasps.

Great riffs, impressive drumming and growling vocals: Mayhem Maniac Machine has plenty to offer even the most cynical death metal fans.

Mayhem Maniac Machine is available now on Apostasy Records.