Pater Tenebrarum is an Austrian melodic death metal band, originally formed in 2012 under the name Sors Immanis. It was only in 2019 that the band adopted its current name. Since then, the austrians have released an EP, Sors Immanis Not Forgotten (2019), as well as two albums: Of Gods and Madmen in 2022 and Meat Grinder in 2025. In this review, I will focus on this last one, released via the Running Wild Production label, in digital format and as a digifile limited edition.
So, Meat Grinder is an album with a total running time of 43:46 minutes, consisting of 11 tracks. I really loved this album: it features solid melodic death metal, enhanced with thrash influences and dark, sometimes cinematic atmospheres. The instruments evolve between fast and heavy rhythms, with subtle, well-placed accelerations. The vocals are particularly intense, alternating between deep growls and high-pitched screams, which at times bring an aura close to black metal. The production is modern, clean and very well mastered. In the following paragraphs, I will detail my impressions after three complete listens to the album.
The album opens with Rabies, an instrumental track that starts with a modern-style introduction. Flesh That Hates then explodes into a melodic thrash style, with a distinct death metal aggression, particularly at 1:10 and 3:13, carried by perfectly suited screams. A solo also enriches the aesthetic of the track at 2:13. On Antibody, I particularly enjoyed the start and the atmosphere created at 1:33, with narration supported by background melodies, followed by a fast and powerful drum performance at 2:01, then a diabolical vocal performance at 2:48. As for Night of the Cannibal Dread, I especially remember its catchy melodic notes that exude a menacing aura. From 2:11 onwards, I really felt like I was listening to a horror film soundtrack (a bloody track that I won't forget anytime soon)
Here Comes Eddie opens with a more technical composition. I really liked the way the drum beats are placed from 0:59 onwards, with another impressive display at 1:53, Also worth mentioning is the excellent solo at 1:24, which reappears at 2:41. The vocals, meanwhile, remain wild and never run out of steam. Furthermore, Disembowel reminded me of old-school riffs from the very first seconds, with a menacing atmosphere that fully takes hold from 1:37 onwards, almost flirting with black metal. The instrumental and vocal performance reaches its peak at 2:24, between frenzied vocals and background melodies (one of the best moments on the album)
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| Digifile Limited Edition - Running Wild Production |
Next comes the track Meat Grinder, which begins with an malevolent atmosphere clearly inspired by black metal. The vocals are higher pitched and more incisive, reinforcing this feeling. From 1:11 onwards, I liked the sudden burst of instruments in a matter of seconds, followed by distinctive repetitive melodies. From 2:02 onwards, the horror movie atmosphere resurfaces. I Prefer You Dead is a track that gets straight to the point and maintains its rhythm until 1:30, when the melodies appear, followed by a very elaborate solo at 1:57. For some reason I can't explain, this track made me want to listen to the Swedish band Hypocrisy again.
Pictures of Dead People is a standout track from Pater Tenebrarum's album. It starts off with heavy, slow tempos accompanied by a dark atmosphere similar to that of Meat Grinder, while also incorporating passages of clean vocals. The screaming vocals reach one of their best moments here at 2:43, with a prolonged and very striking scream at 4:26. At 3:13, the instruments engage in a faster rhythm, bringing a new dynamic to the track.
The Crimson Church is a track that had me headbanging from the very first seconds. But that's not all: the song skilfully alternates between heavy, slow passages and much more energetic ones, where the instruments race ahead in a melodic frenzy. I particularly remember the scream at 3:31. And finally, on Realm of the Red One, the last track on the album, what I liked most was the composition from 2:33 onwards, which gradually accelerates to give way to a solo at 2:52.
After listening to it several times, Meat Grinder left me with a very positive impression. The album is consistent from start to finish, with a real identity and striking atmospheres. I particularly appreciated the balance between aggression, melodies and dark atmospheres, as well as the consistency of the instrumental and vocal performances. An album that I enjoyed listening to again and again and that stayed in my head.
My Favourite tracks: Night of the Cannibal Dread, Here Comes Eddie and Realm of the Red One
