Review by Felix on June 27, 2026.

More than five years ago, Vomit Division released a fine portion of anti-social compositions. Unfortunately, this is a long time and a lot can happen within this period. In the case of the German one man project, a few changes come to my mind quickly when listening to "Hangover Highway". It is no surprise that the album is kicked off by the opener (haha), but I wonder that the first number, the quasi title track, lacks the dirty explosiveness of the debut. Has the dude behind the project, who is also involved in the promising formation called Siechknecht, grown up? It is an alarming signal when once boozy hit machines sound like a NWOBHM band which was born too late. Who the hell has tamed the artist? "Black Essence Of Power" is another track where he is driving with the handbrake on. Of course, mid-tempo is no crime against humanity, but high velocity gave the debut its spontaneous, thrilling character, while these two tracks – as well as the casually titled yet musically mild "Aztec Avenger" are somewhat lacklustre. But this is not to say that Vomit Division always fail when it comes to a mid-paced song formula. The also nicely titled "Bad Decisions Make Good Songs" scores with a wicked guitar line and an earworm chorus.

So yes, the aforementioned tracks indicates it: I have good news, Vomit Division have not written a powerless full-length. The project has not lose its mean core and Bewitched-like guitar lines like the one in "The Demon That Makes Trophies Out Of Man" form a strong foundation for a good song. "The Infamous One" (my favourite track) with its rasping guitars and dynamic drums runs in the same vein. A strictly merciless headbanger with a catchy chorus, a double bass carpet and mangy, deep vocals – this is the approach I love most when we speak about Vomit Division. Therefore I also enjoy the short, clearly defined and agile "Till Bones Will Shatter".

The closer holds another surprise. "Ritual Scars" does not promise too much, it really has a somewhat ritualistic character, at least during the verses which feature original percussive elements and clean vocals. Moreover, the instrumental mid-part offers space for thrilling guitar riffs with an almost transcendental touch. Is this pretty complex piece with the flickering guitar tones an indication for the direction in which the band wants to go? At least it is a thrilling closer for a well produced release which has different facets. On the one hand, I miss a more direct, punchier approach, on the other hand Vomit Division prove their already well known skills once again and take a few steps into a new, almost experimental direction. From my point of view, the debut offers a more compact, more coherent dose of blackened speed metal with a boozy undertone, but "Hangover Highway" is a recommendable work as well. And more or less philosophical lyrics like "if you don't die for something you have lived for nothing" add an unexpected flavour. Doubtlessly, I could write more about this album, but we have the hottest day of the year in Germany and I need a cold drink urgently. I hope nobody has stolen my nuclear lemonade.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by Allan on February 13, 2005.

The trouble with writing and producing music today is that it’s difficult to avoid throwing something out into the world that isn’t necessary. How many albums get dumped on us a year? A ton. How many of them should be kept around? Certainly not all of them. The Netherlands’ 37 Stabwoundz is yet another band that borders on the edge of importance in today’s music scene. Their debut, Embrace Solitude, while technically and musically sound, isn’t quite able to support itself due to the nature of the music.

What we get from 37 Stabwoundz is thick, crushing riffs with a nice, meaty production and full sound, good songwriting that brings the ideas together and avoids tedium… that’s about it. It’s good, it really is. Those are all strong qualities needed in a band. But what if the music itself doesn’t hold enough creativity and ingenuity to warrant repeated listens? Or if the music, though not plagued by any inherent errors, doesn’t bring anything new to the table and other bands before have done it better? That’s the biggest issue with Embrace Solitude.

You can’t fault it for much else, really. You’ve just got to decide if you want to listen to 37 Stabwoundz or if you want to listen to a band like Pantera (if either). There is a distinct hardcore influence in the guitar riffs, but this day in age, that hardly counts for much.

37 Stabwoundz have a constructed a fairly sturdy album in Embrace Solitude, albeit quite redundant as to what we’ve seen before. The shelf life is high, as it’s certainly not an album that’s going to warrant many repeated listens. It all comes down to if you have any more room in your life for the Pantera/Machine Head style of metal. I’d wager not.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 8
Originality: 5
Overall: 6

Rating: 6.6 out of 10