Let’s get one thing straight: I in no way agree with these chucklefucks’ political beliefs and racist backgrounds. But I didn’t come here to engage in socio-political discourse. I came here to head bang to fucking good metal. And Arghoslent fucking delivers. They deliver fucking masterfully.

Hornets of the Pogrom marks the third full length for these Southern gentlemen and their brand of no-nonsense death metal. And "no-nonsense" is the operative phrase here: the album rips open quite literally with the opener "In Coffles They Were Led", galloping head on into their NWOBHM-esque lead riffs and harsh vocal delivery. Arghoslent is able to craft melodic death metal that never forgets the "death" part. The music is catchy, speedy, and melodic in all the traditional senses of the word (see – "Manacled Freightage", "The Nubian Archer", and "The Grenadier"), but Hornets of the Pogrom will fit neatly next to all those old school death metal records you own. Also, there’s a bit on "Oracle of the Malefic Rhizome" that will bring tears to the eyes of all those metal heads who miss the old days of In Flames‘ first two albums.

And the instrumental title track is God damn destructive. Arghoslent rides forth, burning, maiming, and lynching all who oppose their evil brand of death metal. The song is a long one, but it’s easily one of the best on the album.

There is one gripe: the production. It’s hardly bad, but it doesn’t feel as immediately organic as past releases. However, after a couple of listens the production sinks in and it sounds like good ‘ole boy Arghoslent once more.

Again, I have to reiterate once more that I in no way agree with the political standings of the band. But I’ll be damned if this ain’t some of the best melo-death this year. I hate their politics, but Arghoslent sure knows how to fucking write those riffs. Hornets of the Pogrom is another exemplary disc for 2008.

Review byNecro-tron