BEAR MACE (Chicago, IL USA) - Charred Field Of Slaughter LP (2020) (140gram Orange vinyl - limited to 150 copies).  Bear Mace kick out some massive riffs and wailing solos. The opening to the track "Destroyed By Bears" has this killer riff that has got the stink of Thrash giants Exodus all over it. It’s mid-tempo, meaty and chock full of rhythm. It is an exciting start to the record which is accompanied by driving bass lines and is pure head-banging heaviness.
When it comes to mid-paced tightly played Death Metal, there is currently a BOLT THROWER shaped hole in the world and BEAR MACE could very well be the sorely needed band to fill it. That is not to say that this album is hollow mimicry of their influences, it is instead both a progression of and a love letter to Death Metal of days gone by. They do not reinvent the wheel on this album, but they do provide an updated take on a well-trodden formula which should warm the rotten heart of any true fan of the genre.   Redefining Darkness – REDA135