ENTRENCHED

I had a good feeling about this one before I even listened to the music; something about that cover art I guess. Whatever the reason for plucking ENTRENCHED's "Preemptive Strike" out of the towering piles of self- released discs that clog my mailbox, the pluck was a fortuitous one. Guitarist/bassist/vocalist Sean Fitzpatrick and drummer/vocalist Charles Snyder have created a mighty fine album of war-themed death metal that recalls battle ready acts like BOLT THROWER, HAIL OF BULLETS, and INVASION. Any imitation here is a sincere form of flattery.

Also featuring the skillfully executed guitar solos of guest player Mike Mullins on several tracks, "Preemptive Strike" begins its tank-column rumble with the fitting "Intro (Mobilize)" through which the anticipation is felt in the pit of the stomach. The full scale invasion having begun with "Bred to Kill", one hears immediately that these guys can not only play their asses off; they know how to write songs of a caliber that belies their independent-release status and rivals that of the big boys. "Preemptive Strike" is defined by its scalding riffs, killer grooves, and low growls accented with CARCASS-esque highs (unique for this style of DM),and a darn solid recording/mix from Snyder (mastered by Alan Douches and Sean Hansen).

Even more appealing is the fact that there isn't a bad song in the bunch; oh hell, there isn't even a mediocre one. Individual cuts kill without mercy and the entirety of the experience is just as satisfying. The creepy piano accompanied by an ominous sample about the effects of radiation leads to a devastating, thrash-inflected romp called "ICBM" that is among the catchiest of the nine tracks. Far from a drop in the momentum created by the track, the fusillade continues without letup right on through to the end of "Dropping the Tsar Bomb". Competent lyrics that in one way or another all lead back to man's ongoing efforts to bring about its own extinction complete the package. Though the quality levels never falter, one song in particular is worthy of note. "Anesthetic Death" is in most direct terms a great song. It is superbly arranged and inclusive of mid-paced grooves imbued with touches of SLAYER's most ominous material, shifts to up-tempo stomp with a definite HAIL OF BULLETS vibe, and a handful of subtleties that give it an identity all its own.

"But is it the stuff of '…of Frost and War' or 'Those Once Loyal?'" you ask with smirk firmly painted on face. It is a hell of a lot closer than you think and comes with a typically faster, often thrashier approach. It is clear that Fitzpatrick and Snyder sought not to reinvent anything resembling a wheel. They took a style they loved and just happened to have the chops and songwriting skills to make a damn good album in the process, one that doesn't sound like cheap imitation. Label or no label, "Preemptive Strike" is one of the better albums of its kind I've heard and is a thoroughly enjoyable one from start to finish. Death metal-oriented labels would be wise to pay attention to what Fitzpatrick and Snyder have done here. So would any fan of warring death metal constructed with the finest craftsmanship. Very well done.