Many metalheads debated whether Coldworker’s debut moved too far – or not far enough – away from drummer Anders Jakobson’s work in Nasum, but there’s no question that the group’s follow-up establishes them as a hard-charging, tightly-wound death metal contender. Most of these intricately structured songs eschew monochromatic speed in favor of heavy, modular elements; when a cut like “Citizens of the Cyclopean Maze” eases back so a well-crafted, melodic solo can be unleashed, it’s an almost welcome respite for the few brief seconds until the song explodes again. Rotting Paradise never strays too far from pure pummeling mayhem, but Coldworker does it smartly and with plenty of individuality.
First appeared in the June 2008 issue of Revolver.
