Goatwhore

Louisiana’s Goatwhore seems dead set on reinforcing every metal stereotype extant, from Satanic-themed lyrics and album titles (like 2006’sA Haunting Curse and 2009’s Carving Out The Eyes Of God) to double-kick-drum assaults and guttural, growled vocals. The new Blood For The Master is of a piece with the band’s prior work. It keeps the energy level throttled way up all the way through, with all the Celtic Frost-inspired riffage and bellowing that Goatwhore has explored on earlier albums. It’s tight and punishing, although it’s ironic that music that so closely resembles a choir of jackhammers can break so little new ground.

Updated 02/15/2012