Review by Brian on October 20, 2015.

I am extremely cynical when it comes to newer metal bands. Even more so with anything labeled as "old school' or "cult" produced by the newer act. Carbon copy bands playing in the style of classic bands has never interested me. Why would I want to hear a death metal album in the vein of Left Hand Path, Leprosy or Symphonies of Sickness when I can listen to those albums? So when I first heard of Horrendous with the release of Ecdysis being a "old school" death metal album, my expectations weren't very high. When I actually listened to the album I was blown away.

A year later when I caught wind of their third full-length to be released at the end of this month, my expectations have grown. Anareta did not disappoint. It sounds like the bastard child of Pestilence's Consuming Impulse, Carcass's Heartwork and mid 90's Swedish melodic death metal. However this is not mimicking that style but rather bring a new fresh twist on it. Their influence can be heard, but it's 100% Horrendous.

"The Nihilist" opens Anareta with a bang. It's smooth melodic intro is the perfect set up for the sledgehammer riff that smashes your skull and by songs end what was once your head is hardly recognizable as being human. What really holds my attention through out the album are the amazing hooks throughout. Melodic death metal is alive and well and Horrendous is leading the pack.

The guitar work on this album is incredible. Matt Knox and Damian Herring play some of the smoothest melodies and jaw dropping guitar solos you'll hear this year in metal. Listen to ultra progressive guitar work on "Stillborn Gods". They know how to crush you with a nice mid-paced gallop as well check out "Polaris".

Anareta has one upped Ecdysis. Everything is tighter, the vocals are better, the production is immaculate. Horrendous is a band on the rise. If you haven't taken notice of these guys yet it is about time you start.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10