This is not the first time I review an album by GORELORD but it might be the last. As far as I know, Frediablo, the man behind GORELORD, has decided to put most of his projects on ice to focus fully on GRIMFIST. I like GRIMFIST but I also like GORELORD so I think it’s a bit sad. At least he ends his GORELORD career on a high note with “Norwegian Chainsaw Massacre”. Still as possessed with horror movies as ever before and still as talented. Frediablo is in my opinion one of the most talented musicians this country, Norway, has to offer. Hail horror.

“Norwegian Chainsaw Massacre” might have the heaviest guitar sound I’ve ever heard on a plastic disc. The most impressive part of it is that Frediablo is responsible for the whole production himself, including mixing, producing and mastering. He should have been the prime minister in Norway, that’s for sure. The one we have today is a retard; at least Frediablo knows how to do something. Like playing heavy riffs that really tests my limp stereo rack. If you have a top notch stereo I truly believe that you could blow down your house if you play “Norwegian Chainsaw Massacre” at full volume. The house has to be in a fairly rotten condition for this to happen but now you’ve been warned.

While I’m mighty impressed with most of the riffs there are things I don’t like here as well. The snare drum doesn’t sound any good; neither does the KORN influences that appear every now and then. It sounds really strange going from heavy ass Death Metal riffs to KORN sounding music. Take a listen to “Man Of Shit” to hear what I mean. It just doesn’t fit in my opinion. This happens in other songs as well and is the only major flaw I’m able to find. On a more minor basis I think that some of the songs could have been a bit longer. Frediablo could easily have added one minute extra to “Dying Or Dreaming” without ruining it; the song deserves it.

I’m through with the complaints for today so lets focus a bit more on what I like. Let’s talk about the samples for a second or two. Where MORTICIAN doesn’t know where to stop GORELORD has short samples that only lasts for a few seconds. They are effective and might even bring a little smile to your face. I guess the saying less is more sometimes ring true. I also like the vocals; Frediablo is an excellent vocalist with an enormous range. His vocals aren’t all over the place on “Norwegian Chainsaw Massacre” but if you want to hear what he is capable to do take a listen to DERIDE and GRIMFIST as well. Then you’ll understand that this is one hell of a talented individual. The vocals he use on “Norwegian Chainsaw Massacre” is a medium gruff variant of the Death Metal vocals, somewhere in between ordinary Death Metal vocals and the one that many Death\Black Metal bands use.

The music is really, really heavy Death Metal with a sparse use of blast beats. You could tell the times the drums are blasting on one hand even if you miss a couple of fingers. The last time I heard from GORELORD, “Zombie Suicide Part. 666”, Frediablo used a drum machine. To be honest I don’t know if he has used it this time. I’ve tried Google several times already and it provided me with little help on this subject. Nonetheless the drums are solid, especially impressive if they are programmed.

All in all this is a good release with riffs that has to be heard by Death Metal fans. It’s far from being a classic or anything but be sure to give it a listen if Death Metal is what you’re after. (Online August 26, 2006)