I just can’t help but feel that we’re getting more of the ‘same old same old’ here from SCENT OF FLESH on “Valor In Hatred”. Being the Brutal Death Metal enthusiast I am though, I can overlook these shortcomings from time to time when originality is sacrificed for quality.

That’s exactly what SCENT OF FLESH offer. Don’t go into “Valor In Hatred” expecting something revolutionary and you’ll be perfectly satisfied with their attempt to peel the skin of your face. Unfortunately, even in so far as a standard Brutal Death Metal disc goes, there are times where SCENT OF FLESH start slacking off. The title track is pummeling and the next few continue in the same fashion, but tracks like “Descent To Dark Clarity” just drag along. The disc picks up again afterwards for the finish with “The Last Awakening” though.

The problem with this is that there are so many bands just as good as SCENT OF FLESH, that they’ll have trouble getting noticed and if they do, they don’t stand out from the pack, so listeners won’t really have much incentive to buy this over something else.

For Brutal Death Metal enthusiasts and completists only. (Online August 23, 2004)