The Album Reviews:

	Title: Fiendish Regression Artist: Grave Label: Century Media Records Release Date: 9/7/04	Judgment Committee Reviews	Rating
			4
			4
			4
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Abyss's Review:
Fiendish Regression: The Statistics of Satan! Nonlinear Evil! S(a)tandard Deviant Deviation! Sorry, I'm just amusing myself. Too many regression models in college I suppose. Anyway, it seems Stockholm death metalers Grave have decided to take a little less time off between albums this time, taking just a touch over a year and a half to get out Fiendish Regression.

"One word review: Awesome."

Much like their last album, and the recent output of peers like Entombed and Dismember, the new Grave has to be thought of as a success. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is just something about well-done mid-paced Swedish death metal that doesn't get old. Sure, the formula's the same, but then again so is Coca-Cola, and they both satisfy every time. Perhaps a little of the luster from the last album is gone, simply for the fact that I didn't have to wait seven years for this one, but it still feels good knowing I have the new Grave album. Even when I'm not listening to it, it's nice to know it's there.
That's simply how I feel about the Stockholm bands. Unlike other metal, I don't listen to it with a sneer on my face, scowling like I hate the world. Instead, I just bang my head, drink some beers and find myself content with the smile that's been painted on my face by the chugging, bouncy riffs. Grave (and Dismember and Entombed, etc.) just make me happy. Quite simply, they know how to write solid, satisfying riffs that never grow old and never die. And sure, every once in awhile you'll hear me complain that it's nothing new, but deep down inside, I know I'll always come back. Good taste never goes out of style. One word review: Awesome.

Death's Review:

"This is a killer, pummeling, catchy, heavy, old-school Swedish death metal album."
Grave's sixth album, Fiendish Regression is really pretty cool. There's a lot of metal out there competing for your attention these days. This album deserves it. This is a killer, pummeling, catchy, heavy, old-school Swedish death metal album. And all that goes with such a description is present here. Grave "bring it," with passion and aggression, following up their 2002 return Back From the Grave quite nicely. This time, they deviate from Sunlight Studios for an unmistakable Abyss studio production. I really did like this album a lot better than I thought I would. It shows you that expectations aren't everything. Get down off your high horse and throw the CD in the player for a jam before you get all uppity thinking, "Grave, ho hum, been there, done that." Sure you have, but when does banging you fucking head like a madman ever go out of style? Here's a clue: it doesn't.

Hel's Review:
For those not in the know, Grave are an old school Swedish death metal band, and a damn good one at that. Their latest effort, Fiendish Regression, continues their tradition of eardrum-hemorrhaging death. In my opinion, it is a fine addition to their catalog. Purists may differ, but I say fuck ‘em – this puts a smile on my face and makes my head involuntarily bang, and really, isn’t that what should truly be important?

"No matter how you look at it, Fiendish Regression accomplishes its task admirably: devastating the listener."

With this album, the band has forsaken Sunlight Studios in favor of Abyss Studios, and frankly, the impact is not as drastic as I was hoping it would be. Though it has improved, I continue to wish the production was cleaner, and not quite as gritty, but then, this is area in which I’m extremely picky. If I cannot hear the proverbial pin drop, I can find something about the production to fuss about. Still, no matter how you look at it, Fiendish Regression accomplishes its task admirably: devastating the listener.
After many listens, several of these songs and their delightful lyrics are firmly stuck in my head ensuring, no doubt, that I will be coming back to this one after its tenure as a review disc has passed. Grave once again provides us with a great album after their long absence from the scene. Here’s hoping for many more.

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