Band: Lay Down Rotten
Title: Gospel Of The Wretched
Label: Metal Blade Records
Distribution: Rough Trade Benelux
Release date: June 2009
Review: CD

I wasn’t that enthusiastic with Lay Down Rotten’s former album, Reconquering The Pit, which was released at the end of 2007. Gospel Of The Wretched, the fifth full length studio album by this German formation, is much stronger. The lack of originality and the average compositions were a ‘problem’ to exceed the grey masses last time(s), and that sought-for originality isn’t the case on the new album either. The performance, however, is much more professional, and the compositions are much stronger. The groovy tracks are firm and powerful and come with a raw yet decent sound. The tempo is varying, the melodies are varying, and in comparison to the former album(s), this one sounds like it must be to bring that something more to come with a convincing Metal-creation. Nothing renewing, just fine and strong straight-forward Death Metal.

82/100

Ivan Tibos.