AUTUMNAL REAPER is definitely able to create a dark and sinister atmosphere, so that the listener gets caught without mercy. Morbid Angel or Vital Remains could be named as reference concerning sentiments. One reason for this feeling is the voice of singer Royy Vermeulen, who preaches his lyrics like in a black mass.
In addition, the band knows how to vary speed and does not set the focus on cudgeling for most of the time. It fits the scene perfectly that Mike Browning contributes some parts to Rise Of The Raging Death. The well known keyboarder (Nocturnus, Morbid Angel) boosts the atmosphere of the raging song Chambers Of Infinite Madness. I really like the floating changes in measure as well as the driving double bass adoptions, which are interspersed effectively.
Interim, AUTUMNAL REAPER sound a little bit unspectacular during the short breaker Realms Of Gold, Inhabitants Of Greed, but they act in more differentiated way afterwards. The title song Rise Of The Raging Death shows up more epic and mighty. After a few minutes of unleashed Death Metal, the group throttles the speed during an egregious calm part, which contributes a lot to alternation. Apart from that, some reminiscences to Where The Slime Live (again Morbid Angel) come to my mind.
Twin guitars emboss the fast track Ex Mortis, ere the cool composition The Bodiless sets the first moderate, then augmenting punch line of a release full of sentiments. Nice one!