#63 Flork Reviews: Beton - Zombie Mustang Safari (2022)

 

Beton - Zombie Mustang Safari (2022)

by Flork

 

Death metal music has a special place in the old Florkster’s heart. And I don’t mean for sentimental reasons alone, since the genre is what keeps my heart beating. Seriously, it’s a great alternative if you’ve run out of coffee and need that quick pick-me-up before work. I listen to it quite often while riding Bratislava’s trams and buses, as it not only keeps me awake, but keeps me sane as well.

And so hearing Zombie Mustang Safari by Beton for the first time really reminds me as to why I got into the business. It’s full of punishing drum work and crushing guitar riffs, delivering a heavy and intense experience. And this is apparent right off the bat, especially after I pressed play on “Intro”, which is a haunting instrumental lead-in of 30 seconds or so of ominous sounding symphonics, setting an eerie mood for a totally cool experience to come. And I mean cool, since there is only a split second between the Intro and "Sadistická opica" (Sadistic Monkey), with the latter opening with a louder-than-hell apocalyptic bang. And this track stays in “bang” mode (including the sexual sense of the word), with loads of abrasive energy and guttural vocals. "Bezezub" follows and opens with intense guitars and doesn’t hold back on the raw power. Muflon’s drumming is crushing at this point and it is apparent that he is a master of his craft, with complex patterns and adding a punishing touch to the intricate musicianship of the guitars and bass. Paleoman’s vocals also deliver a menacing edge to each of the compositions, reaching to the deepest depths of the genre. He even sings a song about himself, or at least I think it is autobiographical, since it’s all unintelligible to me in any case. 

But no matter, I really don’t care, and I doubt that any fan of death metal music would mind either. I mean, it’s apparent that the band’s sixth release is a display of their mastery of the genre, but it also blends metal punk, hardcore, punk, crust, and anything else that’s loud and intense. Some of the other standouts on Zombie Mustang Safari (which is, by the way, a really cool title) are "Cimbal", "Safari", and "Hrabivec". These three tracks all contain fast-paced riffs and an underlying sense of dread. Some of the other tracks, like "Rooted in Helvete" (which closes the album) mixes contemporary elements with classic death and hardcore influences, producing something that is both familiar and fresh. And don’t panic midway while it pauses for breath, because the tune comes back to life and picks up speed with a fitting end to the album.

And what is my overall opinion? I love their sound and thus the album itself. The production is first class, allowing each instrument to shine, definitely a must-listen for fans of fast-paced death metal music. With its brutal riffs, punishing drum work and dark and powerful vocals, Zombie Mustang Safari is sure to leave a lasting impact on its listeners. Definitely a 10+ out of 10.