You Lived, Now Die is the first recorded release, from death metal band, Diavolos. Comprised of members Tas Danazoglou (Satan's Wrath, ex-Electric Wizard) and Taneli Jarva (ex-Impaled Nazarene, ex-Sentenced), their sound is fittingly grounded in the old school, right down to the title. If you dig Slayer (ignoring the last decade or so), early Bathory, and Possessed, this one is for you.
Now, I have never been much for throwback. Everyone seemed to love the Gruesome album this year, but I was left nonplussed. Just not my cup of tea I suppose. And yet something about this totally 80's-sounding album just does everything so right for a guy like me. From the spike and stud-embossed demon on the cover to the d-beat and vocal delay effects; You Lived, Now Die just f@#king shreds.
Just listen to those riffs. After the disarming little intro, "Divolos Rising" speeds along with fiery tremolos trailing in its wake like a heavy metal Ghostrider. The combination of gritty punk ethos and black metal extremity brings to mind Venom, while the more melodious-if you can call them that-are more reminiscent of Carcass or perhaps Vader. Slower moments like the intro to "Hail All Evil" are full of Sabbathy doom influences. But my favorite track may be "Piss in Holy Water" with it's super-catchy thrash hook.
Between the ferocity of the crusty drums, deranged vocal performance, and endless onslaught of riffage; Diavolos are here to party like it's 1989. Killer solos reign supreme, as on the title track, while D-beats threaten to take the roof down on us all. It's a black mass featuring Johnny Rotten, Henry Rollins, and Jello Biafra. Guitar work runs the gamut from Slayer to the early days of Gothenburg. If that's not enough for you to check this out, then bugger off. You're just not ready.