About.com Rating



After being apart for several year, the Dutch death metal band Gorefest reunited and released 2005's La Muerte. It was a welcome return, and a solid album. Their latest release is even better.

Gorefest has never been a straight ahead death metal band. They always incorporate other influences into their work, and Rise To Ruin is no exception. The songwriting is really good, a diverse mix of pummeling death metal and groovy death and roll.


The songs "Babylons Whores" is a song that really showcases the band's different sides. The nine minute epic has skull shattering death metal, progressive mid-tempo parts and slower, doomy interludes all wrapped up in one outstanding song.

The entire band really rises to the occasion. Guitarists Frank Harthoorn and Boudewijn Bonebakker blend traditional death metal riffs with really creative and progressive guitar work and solos. Ed Warby is a punishing drummer who provides the power that fuels the rest of the band. Vocalist Jan-Chris de Koeijer has a distinctive voice, and his death metal growls are completely understandable. Rise To Ruin ranks right up there with Gorefest's best work.