Review by Felix on April 30, 2020.

It was 2011 when the story of Vomitory came to an end. Its final chapter was called Opus Mortis VIII. To be honest, the metal scene lost a good combo, but the album also showed that the battle-hardened dudes could no longer release nearly perfect records. The brilliance of their works at the turn of the millennium remained untouched.

As always, I want to mention that death metal is not my most beloved sub-genre, because it does not leave much wiggle-room for its artists. Therefore, real fans of this metal style can add some percentage points to my rating. But it's a fact that the death metal road is very narrow and collisions with other cars happen every day. Consequently, 'Forever Damned' sounds like a late answer to Unleashed's "Before the Creation of Time", unfortunately without reaching the quality of this classic. 'Shrouded in Darkness' hails Bolt Thrower, because it offers one of these typical riffs of the British heroes: wistful, sad and powerful. Indeed, the strict guidelines of the genre make it easy to copy the approach of your stylistic neighbor.

However, Vomitory stick to their guns to the bitter end. They don't intend to break through the boundaries. It takes ten seconds until the album offers the typical droning death metal sound. After further fifteen seconds, the first blast beats come in. Deep growling and low-tuned guitars are a matter of course. Vomitory do not play death metal, they are death metal. The sound as well as the technical skills are beyond doubt and therefore only one question remains: what about the quality of the compositions?

Well, the band from Karlstad, Sweden, is too good, too dutiful and too experienced to pen total stinkers, but I miss the violent mix of excellent riffs and dynamic explosiveness which gave their best albums the special flavor. To worship the own genre by hook or by crook is one thing, but to compose killer tracks is something different. 'Hate in a Time of War' has an atmospheric, calm and promising intro that creates a short contrast, but at the end of the day, it is just another piece of bloody meat that the Scandinavians throw into the audience. Well-hung meat, more or less juicy and taste, but no culinary delight. Maybe I am just a pampered boy or the musicians themselves have set the bar too high with their early masterpieces - and these options are not mutually exclusive. But decent songs that hardly differ from each other are not enough for a former guarantor for precise, breathtaking and crudely catchy death metal.

Sometimes a band, or should I say legend, reaches the point where everything is said and done. This does not mean that it starts to release only bullshit. Opus Mortis VIII is a good output, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, predictability takes its toll and - even though hardly noticeable - the record is not immune against a slightly vapid aftertaste. And exactly this kind of aftertaste is a typical sign that a band has reached the point I have mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph. I guess the dudes of Vomitory were aware of this and so they called it a day. Sad, but no drama. Every story comes to an end one day.

Rating: 7.4 out of 10

Review by JD on January 22, 2010.

Austrian metallists Garagedays have done what I thought might never been possible. The band has brought the 80's brand of in your face pure Thrash/Classic Metal back without having it end up sounding like a really bad South Park episode.. In fact, "Leather And Spikes" is and album that needs to be heard.

There is no underlying or hidden meanings in the bands lyrics, nor is there twenty scale changing classical lines in the music... none of that. This is pure and simple Heavy Metal music at its loudest and finest. You got here some strong rhythms, searing wicked leads that bring back the days of the six string slingers of the 80's Power/Thrash eras (Overkill come to mind)... and all without making you feel like they are playing some dinosaur styled music that seems to be way outdated. At its basics - it is just the straight to the throat metal that all of us have ‘air-guitar’ to at one point in our lives.... and no fluff.

Five songs are on this CD... and each are a sucker punch between the eyes with brass knuckles filled with lead... its filled with great songs played just right. Power, fun and intense fury could be the mantra they live by... the only thing they don’t have is another five songs to go on it. It is sad that they don’t, but what they have will fill any metalhead’s heart with the thought of moshing, head-banging and beer swilling good times.

They are not a band to blow you away with their technical brilliance, or give you some thought provoking moment that makes you think for days... this album is a soundtrack to simply party with. Nothing more and nothing less. Garagedays say it all... party in the garage while we piss off the neighbours!! Just your basic fun put down on a silver disk for easy transporting.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 7
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by JD on January 22, 2010.

Austrian metallists Garagedays have done what I thought might never been possible. The band has brought the 80's brand of in your face pure Thrash/Classic Metal back without having it end up sounding like a really bad South Park episode.. In fact, "Leather And Spikes" is and album that needs to be heard.

There is no underlying or hidden meanings in the bands lyrics, nor is there twenty scale changing classical lines in the music... none of that. This is pure and simple Heavy Metal music at its loudest and finest. You got here some strong rhythms, searing wicked leads that bring back the days of the six string slingers of the 80's Power/Thrash eras (Overkill come to mind)... and all without making you feel like they are playing some dinosaur styled music that seems to be way outdated. At its basics - it is just the straight to the throat metal that all of us have ‘air-guitar’ to at one point in our lives.... and no fluff.

Five songs are on this CD... and each are a sucker punch between the eyes with brass knuckles filled with lead... its filled with great songs played just right. Power, fun and intense fury could be the mantra they live by... the only thing they don’t have is another five songs to go on it. It is sad that they don’t, but what they have will fill any metalhead’s heart with the thought of moshing, head-banging and beer swilling good times.

They are not a band to blow you away with their technical brilliance, or give you some thought provoking moment that makes you think for days... this album is a soundtrack to simply party with. Nothing more and nothing less. Garagedays say it all... party in the garage while we piss off the neighbours!! Just your basic fun put down on a silver disk for easy transporting.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 7
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by JD on January 22, 2010.

Austrian metallists Garagedays have done what I thought might never been possible. The band has brought the 80's brand of in your face pure Thrash/Classic Metal back without having it end up sounding like a really bad South Park episode.. In fact, "Leather And Spikes" is and album that needs to be heard.

There is no underlying or hidden meanings in the bands lyrics, nor is there twenty scale changing classical lines in the music... none of that. This is pure and simple Heavy Metal music at its loudest and finest. You got here some strong rhythms, searing wicked leads that bring back the days of the six string slingers of the 80's Power/Thrash eras (Overkill come to mind)... and all without making you feel like they are playing some dinosaur styled music that seems to be way outdated. At its basics - it is just the straight to the throat metal that all of us have ‘air-guitar’ to at one point in our lives.... and no fluff.

Five songs are on this CD... and each are a sucker punch between the eyes with brass knuckles filled with lead... its filled with great songs played just right. Power, fun and intense fury could be the mantra they live by... the only thing they don’t have is another five songs to go on it. It is sad that they don’t, but what they have will fill any metalhead’s heart with the thought of moshing, head-banging and beer swilling good times.

They are not a band to blow you away with their technical brilliance, or give you some thought provoking moment that makes you think for days... this album is a soundtrack to simply party with. Nothing more and nothing less. Garagedays say it all... party in the garage while we piss off the neighbours!! Just your basic fun put down on a silver disk for easy transporting.

Categorical Rating Breakdown　

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 7
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.8 out of 10