Though not a particularly well-known purveyor of classic death metal, Morta Skuld are easily one of the most powerful bands on the scene, as evidenced by the band's 1993 masterpiece, "Dying Remains". This record draws upon the Obituary school of death metal...that is, focused largely on slow or mid-tempo riffs over speed and blast beats, as well as containing (be it accidental or intentional) a very dark and grim atmosphere, conjuring up images of graveyards and tombstones and other shit. Having said that, after listening to this record, it's clear that Morta Skuld have managed to create their own unique style. Unlike the vast majority of bands (good and bad), Morta Skuld play a familiar style of music while managing to avoid writing riffs that play too deeply into any other band's signature style.
The riffs will occasionally reference a band like Autopsy, and some of the faster riffs give off a strong "Leprosy" influence, but even in these moments, it's clear that you're not listening to a tribute band...you're listening to Morta Skuld. For example, the opening riff to "Devoured Fears" has always given off a very eerie atmosphere to me, no doubt due to the slow-paced riff and harmonization which is one of Autopsy's many signatures. However, this doesn't really sound like Autopsy to me. It sounds like a band being inspired by one of the most innovative bands on the scene, and rather than simply ripping them off, taking this inspiration and using it to create something new (well, technically old...but you probably get what I mean!).
This is also apparent in Dave Gregor's vocal delivery, a man who could easily fend off a small army with simply his diaphragm. The majority of his vocals lean towards an extremely deep, guttural grunt that would reduce Chris Barnes to a terrified little girl. However, Gregor's real crowning jewel are his higher-ranged growls, which are sharp as a knife, and powerful as a tank. Even after years and years of listening to death metal, some of Gregor's vocals on this album give me cold chills ("Now it's time for you to die - ALIVE!!!!!" - not sure what the fuck that is supposed to mean, but holy fuck is it brutal!!!).
Another thing that cannot be understated is the sheer power of this album's production. Generally, one would assume that an underground band from a state with a relatively obscure scene, would be relegated to lo-fi recording qualities from people who have no idea what they are doing. Each instrument sounds fantastic...the bass sits loud and proud in the mix, the drums pound on with incredible snare & bass tones (this is particularly apparent in the faster sections with the thrash beat - I can only describe this sound as "sexy"), and the guitar tone is exceptional (save for the "whop-whop-whop-whop" sound it gives off during the opening riff to "Hatred Creation").
I'd also like to point out how awesome the album cover is. A man with a (presumably?) giant forehead being blissfully ripped apart as he's lowered into a lake of boiling flesh & blood, as a graveyard dots the horizon? That's what death metal is all about (especially the giant forehead), and not a giant island-face being stabbed by a bobblehead skeleton (Benediction - "Subconscious Terror"), or a fucking rose (Atrocity - "Todessehnsucht"). Anyway, go buy this album right now. Don't even think about it. Don't be scared off by the ridiculous price that the original fetches on Amazon...the 2013 re-issue available for mail-order through Peaceville revamps the booklet with rare (high quality) photos, clippings from newspapers and magazines about show reviews, album reviews, etc., and the band were kind enough to restore the original album cover, to great effect. The sound quality is also top notch!!
Anyway, this album is a must for anyone who loves old-school death metal!! Hopefully the band will manage to re-issue their other albums, so we can hear them too!!
Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
