Review by Adam M on September 5, 2011.

Laceration Mantra performs very competent Technical Death Metal in a similar manner to the band Suffocation. The music here features many blast beats and an overriding evil aura. It is managed with scalpel like precision for the most part and doesn’t feature unnecessary technical wankery, which is an element that I hold in high regard.

Like Suffocation, the music has solid song-writing, but doesn’t venture very far into left-field pastures. There is a distinctive pummeling groove to be found which is competently created, however, and makes the songs move along in a rollicking fashion. Right from the onset, 'Thrown To The Wolves' sets a tone that isn’t deviated from much throughout the majority of the disc. Laceration Mantra goes for the throat with the riffs, but does so with a great deal of structure to the overall approach. Though the band plays their particular brand of Death Metal very effectively, "Prolonging The Pain" never quite reaches the height achieved by albums like "Effigy Of The Forgotten".

There isn’t quite enough to differentiate this band from other Death Metal albums and it ends up sounding a bit too samey at times. Still, there is no denying the quality of the band as a unit and the commitment to creating quality Death Metal. "Prolonging The Pain" is certainly above average and it threatens greatness, such as on tracks like 'Victims Of Hate', but never has quite the necessary inventiveness to be quite an outstanding release.

Obviously, this album gets a recommendation towards fans of Suffocation, in particular. Those looking for Technical Death Metal with plenty of blast beats yet solid song-writing should be satisfied with this disc.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Production: 7.5
Originality: 6.5
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 7.4 out of 10