REVIEW REXUL "EREBUS...VIRTUOSUS...ALPHA" (ENGLISH)

Rexul from Gummersbach in the beautiful Bergisches Land region released their debut album these days (actually two months ago) on FDA Records, probably Germany's most distinguished death metal label. The two band members S. Milizia and B. Oprea were previously (temporary) active with Diabolical Imperium, who released two albums and were active between 1993 and 2015. It's perhaps due to this history that Rexul did not content themselves with a demo or an EP as their first sign of life, but instead came directly to the public's attention with a complete album.  

Admittedly, I never really engaged with Diabolical Imperium, clearly the name just here in the region appeared on flyers every now and then. The last album of this band "The sacred lie" I listened on Youtube and in a similar musical direction it goes with Rexul, namely aggressive Death Metal of the American variety, a first clue to this already give the Acheron and Morbid Angel shirts in the booklet.

It's important for me to emphasize that Rexul nevertheless go their own way. Even if the American Death Metal seems to be their main source of inspiration, I can't think of any band right away that could be compared 1:1 with Rexul. The entire album convinces with a certain complexity and depth, which is not immediately obvious the first time you listen to it. Therefore, one should take time for this album and not make the mistake of briefly listening on Youtube, because then there is the danger that one or the other song may appear relatively unspectacular in this brief superficial impression. I really hope that Rexul will not fail due to the shortened attention span of many listeners caused by social media. Again and again, for example, there is a surprising melodic guitar part at one point or another. I would also like to emphasize the atmospheric and partly melancholic intros, which are actually anything but standard, these stand alone and would also make sense detached from the album context. Here we tie back to the already mentioned Acheron and Morbid Angel, who also often created very atmospheric intros or outros. One simply notices with this album that here are confessed musicians at work, who already have some experience, master their instruments and have published a well thought-out work, which can convince with the perfect mixture from aggressiveness and melody. The stunning artwork will come into its own much better on the LP that will be released in March. It only remains for me to wish the band all the best and much success on their further way! More in the soon to be released here interview with the band!