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ROTTREVORE - Iniquitous

GENRE: Death metal
COUNTRY: USA
FORMAT: CD
LABEL: Xtreem Music
YEAR: July 1st, 2009

RATING: 9/10
REVIEWED BY: PSL
PROVIDED BY: Xtreem Music

The American death metal band Rottrevore put out Iniquitous via the long defunct Spanish label Drowned Productions in 1993. The CD has been difficult to obtain and the prices on eBay has been a lot higher than what I've been willing to pay. I guess all good comes to those who wait. At least that's how it is with Iniquitous. It took almost 16 years, but now Iniquitous has finally been reissued by Xtreem Music.

Rottrevore was a four-piece from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Besides a demo, two EP's and Iniquitous the band hasn't released anything else, but it was enough to make a name for themselves in the underground. The guitarist/vocalist Mark Mastro also did the logo for Immolation among others, but apart from this it's limited what Mark or the rest of the band has been doing. Rottrevore was booked to play New Jersey Death Metal Fest in October 2009, but cancelled so it's uncertain if the band is active nowadays or not.

If I shortly should sum up the style of Rottrevore it would be American meets Swedish death metal. The music has a lot of the vibe that Entombed had around Left Hand Path, but the music also has a strong American feel to it in the vein of early Immolation and the likes. Also there's a bit of Considered Dead era Gorguts on "Conspiracised". The songs are not all that fast, but the Americans are good at varying things. The tempo often changes and the four-piece is never hung up on the same thing for long.

The riffs are interesting and there's lot of exciting parts and different changes in the music. It's all topped off by some good solos. The solos do exactly what they are supposed to and add lots of feel to the songs. The vocals are diverse and Mark Mastro and Chris Weber complement each other well. The bass gets a lot of space. It has a very dry and innate ring to it and it fits the music just right. So do the drums. These are also dry and has an untreated feel too them.

The production is not all that good, but I like it. It's grimy and unpolished, and fits the music just right. I'm not a big fan of labels adding all kinds of bonus songs to reissues and it's not different on Iniquitous. Xtreem Music has added three live songs to the CD. I wouldn't say the live songs are bad, but not that interesting either. Iniquitous is an effort that is difficult to avoid. Death metal just doesn't get much better than this.


Jesters of Recession Ceased by Failure Spawn of Ignorance Unanimous Approval Dismal Fate Disembodied Incompetent Secondary Conspiracised Actions for Loss Crude Domination Unbeknownst Clogged Sewer Pipe Ceased by Failure Disembodied
		ROTTREVORE - Iniquitous GENRE: Death metal COUNTRY: USA FORMAT: CD LABEL: Xtreem Music YEAR: July 1st, 2009 RATING: 9/10 REVIEWED BY: PSL PROVIDED BY: Xtreem Music The American death metal band Rottrevore put out Iniquitous via the long defunct Spanish label Drowned Productions in 1993. The CD has been difficult to obtain and the prices on eBay has been a lot higher than what I've been willing to pay. I guess all good comes to those who wait. At least that's how it is with Iniquitous. It took almost 16 years, but now Iniquitous has finally been reissued by Xtreem Music. Rottrevore was a four-piece from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Besides a demo, two EP's and Iniquitous the band hasn't released anything else, but it was enough to make a name for themselves in the underground. The guitarist/vocalist Mark Mastro also did the logo for Immolation among others, but apart from this it's limited what Mark or the rest of the band has been doing. Rottrevore was booked to play New Jersey Death Metal Fest in October 2009, but cancelled so it's uncertain if the band is active nowadays or not. If I shortly should sum up the style of Rottrevore it would be American meets Swedish death metal. The music has a lot of the vibe that Entombed had around Left Hand Path, but the music also has a strong American feel to it in the vein of early Immolation and the likes. Also there's a bit of Considered Dead era Gorguts on "Conspiracised". The songs are not all that fast, but the Americans are good at varying things. The tempo often changes and the four-piece is never hung up on the same thing for long. The riffs are interesting and there's lot of exciting parts and different changes in the music. It's all topped off by some good solos. The solos do exactly what they are supposed to and add lots of feel to the songs. The vocals are diverse and Mark Mastro and Chris Weber complement each other well. The bass gets a lot of space. It has a very dry and innate ring to it and it fits the music just right. So do the drums. These are also dry and has an untreated feel too them. The production is not all that good, but I like it. It's grimy and unpolished, and fits the music just right. I'm not a big fan of labels adding all kinds of bonus songs to reissues and it's not different on Iniquitous. Xtreem Music has added three live songs to the CD. I wouldn't say the live songs are bad, but not that interesting either. Iniquitous is an effort that is difficult to avoid. Death metal just doesn't get much better than this.