Caligari Records - 2021
7.5/10
Haalbauer is a band that only reinforces my conclusion that Norwegians take the death metal genre to crushing, unbearable levels all the time. This band was very short lived, having a small career spanning two years that consisted of two demos and a full-length. The latter titled Mortal Ones Scream In Horror is what we’re looking at today. In its bare twenty-one minute run-time, I can say it at least conveys its idea very clearly.
What isn’t clear is just about everything musically about it. Mortal Ones Scream In Horror is a fitting title, consisting of eight songs under the filthiest and goriest scope you can get without losing its character. Marshy, swamp-submerged guitar riffs carry disgusting rhythms that only discern themselves by the oddly clear drumming; the percussion alone may just be my favorite characteristic of this album. Vocally, things are matched with deep, gut-churning gutturals, and the sharp and chaotic nature nearly introduces a punk songwriting background. Objectively, it’s nothing like the latter, but I can’t help but feel that energy being trapped somewhere within the muck.
Thus, it should be no surprise that standouts aren’t exactly the main selling point with Haalbauer. I do think “Inhale The Nauseating Fumes” had the tightest guitar solo on the whole disc, being the only real showcase of stronger leads. But for the most part, this is less meant to be about songwriting and more about just feeling the horrendous imagery being cast. Obviously this can only be so good, but I must hand it to them; they very much achieve what they’ve set out to do. The casual death metal listener should avoid this, the seasoned one, give it a whirl.
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