Death Breath
Stinking Up the Night

Death Breath was formed in 2005 by the relatively unknown Robert Pehrsson (ex-Runemagik and Deathwitch among others, currently in Thunder Express) and the much more famous Nicke Andersson (ex-Entombed and currently with the Hellacopters). Quoting the very words of these two Swedes (taken from their website), Death Breath presents themselves as follows: "If you give a shit, Death Breath plays death metal", and they further add: "Death Breath got together in 2005 to play death metal again. Why? Why not". Finally, after listing a series of their tutelary deities, among which are Autopsy, Repulsion, Venom, Possessed, Discharge, G.B.H, they conclude in this way: "Death Breath plays 6 string guitars, a 4 string bass and non-triggered drums. Death Breath plays death metal. If you give a shit that is".

These are decidedly eloquent and in no way ambitious statements, the result of "simple" musicians, who make "simple" music, much like Death Metal itself: they, like many, are genuinely in love with the honesty and modesty that (should) characterize this genre.

Stinking Up The Night turns out to be nothing more than a highly successful attempt at a "modern restoration" of the Death Metal tropes straddling the '80s and '90s, specifically the more ignorant and politically incorrect variety, with a blatantly hardcore heritage (especially see Autopsy, Repulsion, and early Entombed, but also the unmentioned masters Slayer). By "modern restoration" is meant the recovery of the prominent traits and structures of those Death "pioneers," smoothing them out and stripping them of those excessive and heavy solutions that were the result of the legitimate inexperience of the aforementioned musical "explorers."

On their part, our Swedes do not fall into plagiarism (perhaps apart from "Dragged Through The Mud" and "Death Breath", where they obviously but validly cite the Autopsy of Mental Funeral) and give compactness but also decent variety to the tracks, enhancing some pieces with "programmatic" guest vocals by luminaries such as Scott Carlson (leader of Repulsion, of course), Jörgen Sandström (Entombed), and Fred Estby (formerly of the legendary Carnage and ex-Dismember).

Some curiosities and fitting solutions further elevate the quality of a record that would otherwise have turned out to be "just another colorless Death record"; first of all, the two guitarists who lead the group have a preference for solos and modulating bridges in a Sabbatian style, true homages to the myth of Tony Iommi. A very pleasant solution, never predictable or mannered. Secondly, the rigorously tech-free instrumentation, and above all the analog recording, give the album a fantastic "garage" mood; these solutions contribute to refining and enhancing the vintage fury and malice of the Death Breath sound.