Many bands have flirted with mixing their sound between Death and Thrash metal; few of which have ever been able to match and certainly not exceed Slayer's benchmark set with "Reign In Blood" all those years ago. Deathchain are the latest in this long line to chance their arm and merge the lines of Death and Thrash, to try and make one cohesive sound.

"Cult Of Death" is the brainchild of guitarist and Deathchain main-man, Corpse; every song having originated at his hand. This, the bands third full length release welcomes new vocalist KJ Kaos to the fold and marks a somewhat change of direction from the bands previous releases. With such songs as "Deathhammer" and "Necrophiliac Lust" it is no surprise that the music has taken a turn toward the more extreme and brutal end of the metal spectrum.

Offering up a sound on the rawer side of raw, "Cult Of Death" has that early 1990's Death Metal demo flavour about it. Not so much that production is poor but more the song writing style and ethos towards how the band play their particular brand of Metal. For those who remember the tape trading days will know where this release is coming from. Homage to the underground doesn't stop there however, with a logo and album art work straight from the pen of an early Nihilist or Carcass release, you really do get the feeling that Deathchain haven't listened to anything recorded after 1992.

A retro feel to any album can be cool so long as the music doesn't come across as dated or simply a rehash of everything that has proceeded it. "Cult Of Death" isn't ground breaking nor is it going to be voted album of 2007, but Deathchain play their music with passion and commitment; and if you're a lover of full on, straight ahead in your face brutality, "Cult Of Death" should find a favourable place in your heart.