OK so the initial euphoria of Suffocation’s return to active duty has died a death and those of us that mourned their demise first time around are just thankful that they are still around and kicking. While considered by many to have their best days behind them there still remains’ a buzz around any new release that bears the Suffocation name; after all lets not forget they were responsible for ‘Effigy Of The Forgotten’, ‘Despise The Sun’ and are up there in the upper echelons of true Death Metal greats.

So what about ‘Blood Oath’? Well as a start for those who have revered 2004’s ‘Souls To Deny’ and 2006’s self titled offering will want to thank whatever god it is you worship as ‘Blood Oath’ is more of the same. The slow / mid paced style the band has adopted since reforming is again present pretty much throughout the whole album, and the all out speed that characterised their earlier work is but a distant memory. Of course the growls of Frank Mullens are one of the factors that make Suffocation’s sound so instantly recognisable and again he doesn’t disappoint. His vocals are as menacing as they every were, roaring through the likes of ‘Dismal Dream’ and ‘Pray For Forgiveness’ pushing back the years and making you almost feel like it is 1991 all over again. All ably accompanied by some masterful soloing and some truly crushing riffs from Terrance Hobbs.

‘Blood Oath’ is sure to polarize fans and will only heap more fuel on the fire as to weather Suffocation should have drawn a line under their contribution to Death Metal after 'Despise The Sun'. My real criticism of 'Blood Oath' is not that it is a bad album, far from it, but that all the innovation Suffocation brought to the genre back in the day appeals to have faltered over recent years and recent releases. 'Blood Oath' will be a sold addition to the Suffocation discography and is sure to please the majority of those needing a solid fix of old school Death Metal, and while it is perhaps unfair to judge against previous releases with the likes of 'Effigy Of The Forgotten' in your locker it is hard not to do so.