Tracklisting:
- Wear These Scars of Testimony
- Bloodletting Upon the Cloven Hoof
- Alchemy of the Black Sun Cult
- My Eyes are the Spears of Chaos
- In the Narrow Confines of Defilement
- Forever Consumed Oblivion
- A Haunting Curse...
- Silence Marked by the Breaking of Bone
- Diabolical Submergence of Rebirth
- ...Of Ashen Slumber
- I Avenge Myself
Label: Metal Blade
Origin: Germany
Goatwhore are a blackened death metal band from the weather ravaged parts of New Orleans, Louisiana. Their newest release pulls many influences together and creates a pulverizing mix of extreme music tailor-made for aggressive people. "A Haunting Curse" blends traditional death metal with elements of black metal, and sludge into a melting pot of hard hitting music. Heavily drenched in southern influences and the full out emotions occurring from the aftermath of Katrina, one can hear the frustration and rage put into the music by this band. Speedy mid tempo riffing full of grooves hitting the right spot as the vocals tear away into undeniable catchiness, and pounding drumming cement the excellent song writing skills by the band.
A Haunting Curse is a straightforward anger filled romp against all that is decent. Full of sinister lyrics, sharp sadistic vocals, pounding drums playing slow to fast patterns, and thick thudding grooves holding the rhythm and setting the tone of the album. This is not low production black metal, nor is it Christian rock, what Goatwhore play is extreme metal. Furious tempo changes, plenty of blast beat's and lightning quick double bass take place with Ben's revolting vocal style holding center stage. It is very clear what side the boys of Goatwhore stand for, as the rage ridden music becomes uglier and darker as time progresses. Many influences are shown on their third disk as elements of Crowbar, Celtic Frost, and the blacker moments of venom are merged with Goatwhore's signature style of blasphemous metal form to make music fit for Satan himself. Their last CD "Funeral Dirge For A Rotting Sun" has nothing on this album as "A Haunting Curse" is filled with more aggression and hatred then ever shown in the past albums. - Clefable Oathbreaker McKinley