Zombiefication - Reaper's Consecration (Chaos Records) By: Mike Sloan

[7.5/10] Wait…. These guys are from Mexico? Really?

For a band that hails from such a smoldering land and considering how the majority of Mexican extreme metal bands have sounded over the years (Cenotaph, The Chasm, Cross of Satan, Decapitado Por Genocidio, Shub Niggurath, etc.), Zombiefication just doesn’t fit the mold. They don’t exactly break the mold, but the deathly tunes that emanate from the stereo off of their latest release, five-song EP Reaper’s Consecration, sound awfully Swedish. So much so that someone who isn’t overly proficient in the typical geographical sounds of the world (or is just a casual death metal fan) might actually be duped into believing this is a collection of missing Dismember tracks.

The five tracks on the release aren’t anything unique or original, but they are performed admirably and each song is strong enough to warrant repeated listens. There’s the Swedish fuzziness to the guitars, Matti Kärki-cloned vocals and, most importantly, a nice little groove to go along with their Mexican version of Swedish death metal. And it’s worth noting that the programmed drums sound as organic as any we’ve heard recently (there are only two guys in the band: Mr. Jacko on bass/guitars and Mr. Hitch on vocals), though we still always prefer a human behind the kit regardless if it’s alive or zombified.

There’s nothing wrong with Reaper’s Consecration whatsoever and anybody who fancies him or herself a fan of said genre of music will enjoy this EP for what it’s worth. It won’t break down any doors for Zombiefication in terms of a plethora of new listeners and it probably won’t garner them any major accolades, but considering how well produced a release this is and how accessible their music is, Reaper’s Consecration serves its purpose as a filler until either a.) Zombiefication’s follow-up full-length is released or, more importantly b.) a new album from one of the big boys hits the streets.

Having been the first time this band has been introduced to these ears, it’s still a little jolting to listen to their music and know where they came from. Obviously many a band from all over the world has sounded like another band from another part of the world, but the comparisons to Zombiefication’s style of death metal to that of the better Swedish bands, specifically Dismember, are jarring. Then again, since Dismember have called it day, why not let someone else carry their flag? We’re down. Bring on the new full-length!

www.zombiefication.com