The Contaminated Void (CD - 2006)

Audio Mixer: Dan Swanö.

Recording information: Coldworker Studios, Orebro, Sweden (06/06/2006-06/24/2006); The House Of Alvinzi, Arboga, Sweden (06/06/2006-06/24/2006).

Sweden is seldom at a loss for extreme metal acts, with the latest group to join the fray being aptly named Coldworker. Members of Phobos, Nasum, Relentless, and Ruin joined forces to create the death/grindcore brutality presented on 2007's THE CONTAMINATED VOID. Shortly before the album's U.S. release, the twisted branches of Sweden's death metal tree became even more gnarled when Daniel Schroder (also of Ruin) replaced Andre Alvizini, who left the band to join fellow Swedish deathers Carnal Grief.

If extreme metal that hits you over the head like a sledgehammer right out of the gate gets you all tingly, then Coldworker's full-length debut, 2007's The Contaminated Void, is an absolute must hear. Hailing from Sweden, Coldworker features a former member of grindcore titans Nasum -- growler/screamer Anders Jakobsson -- and his latest project is just as over-the-top as his previous outfit. Insanely precise and high-speed riffing and drumming reign supreme here, as evidenced by such pleasant little ditties as "D.E.A.D.," "Death Smiles at Me," and "Strain at the Leash." Some free advice while listening to The Contaminated Void: press play, then quickly run for cover in the nearest fallout shelter. ~ Greg Prato minimize