Review by Felix on May 6, 2025.

You are not familiar with Necrodeath so far? Poor boy, I fear you are a little late, because Arimortis is announced as their farewell album. But why? Already, the explosive opener 'Storyteller Of Lies' delivers a big portion of anger and hate. The song bursts out of the speakers in a fascinating and fresh manner. All musicians and in particular Flegias and guitarist Pier Gonella reach their top form in a matter of seconds. Right from the start, the Italians celebrate their well-known and highly appreciated form of malicious, occasionally melodic or creepy thrash metal once again masterfully. It gets quickly obvious: Arimortis is both, a final statement of the band, but also a typical Necrodeath release. No useless experiments, no artificially staged grand finale. Just more of the tried and tested formula(s) of a legend that never failed. (I have forgotten that they made an album called Draculea; please don’t remind me.)

While the aforementioned opener mirrors their brutal side, songs like the ominous title track show the band’s gloomy facet. I guess it is needless to say that they manage both approaches very cleverly. Even old men do not suddenly unlearn the things they have done best during the last 25 years and in their very early days in the eighties. In retrospect, it was perhaps even fortunate that Necrodeath had nothing to contribute to the nineties. Who knows how the terrible anti-thrash zeitgeist of that decade would have corrupted them. But one thing is for sure, since their comeback album “Mater of All Evil” in 2000, the quartet almost never left its path and the band’s highly appreciated trademarks show up in abundance for the final time here. Enjoy the vicious screams, the high-class drums and percussion work, the sharp riffs and the mostly compact compositions. All is presented with a devastating sound which combines high precision with ultimate pressure and sharp edges. Highlights like “New God” (spontaneous, brutal and menacing after the silent beginning) or “No More Regrets” (great riffs, hateful anger, but also melodic sections) grow naturally in this environment. Not to mention the title track. Its calm guitar introduction and a beastly voice in the background create an uncomfortable feeling. As soon as the song shows itself in all its glory, it becomes clear that Necrodeath can also instinctively land a hit at mid-tempo and the catchy chorus contributes to the fantastic overall impression as well. Who is surprised after all these years?

With “Metempsychosis II” and “Necrosadist” the Italians continue the tradition of returning to their two early works. Unlike part one, “Metempsychosis II” is no pure instrumental, although Flegias’ contribution remains marginal. Anyway, a great song with a lot of fury, variation and high velocity. But more or less each and every track leaves its footprints and even a somewhat weaker number like “Near-Death Experience” deserves a little applause. So yes, Necrodeath have given the thrash community many, many exciting songs, parts and moments. No matter the exact line-up, the band was always authentic and driven by a nearly unstoppable fury. (By the way, don’t forget to check the murderous non-album track “Headhunting”, if you haven’t done it yet. It is one of the most thrilling tracks of their complete band history.) I will miss the ruffian voice of Flegias, the percussion elements of one-and-only drummer Peso and in general the tight interplay of the four dudes. Either way, if “Arimortis” is really their testament, it’s doubtlessly a worthy ending. Nevertheless, I still hope that Italy’s most impressive formation ever will come back again and that the statement concerning their farewell album is not true. Maybe they are just “Storyteller of Lies”? I would like that for once.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10