review by: Roberto Martinelli

Reduced to Ashes is a death metal clinic of sorts. On this, their fifth album, Deeds of Flesh show all the whippersnappers in the scene how to construct an effective (albeit by the book), modern death metal record. Everything is crystal clear, and the musicianship just leaves you shaking your head in disbelief the whole way through.

Swarming riffs, razor sharp guitar and impossible drums abound...maybe too much. Like Vital Remains’ Dechristianize (review here), the undeniably incredible drums get a little numbing after a while with their near constant double bass tempo. And much like the drums, the eight songs don’t really have parts that stick out any more than any other. It’s all the same level of lightning quick death that only begins to separate after multiple listens.

While this record may not be a universally essential metal purchase like the new Dying Fetus or Circle of Dead Children (reviews in this issue), Reduced to Ashes is definitely one to get for death metal junkies. (7/10)