Poland’s YATTERING have been around since ‘96 and while the band’s earlier material displayed a strong VADER influence, (drummer, Zabek even filled in for Doc on one of VADER’s tours) YATTERING’s latest, Genocide, sees the band striking out on their own by incorporating a host of new influences and ideas. The album begins with the title track, which features some militant, almost industrial sounding riffing, spoken word, and screaming before kicking in with the chugging deathfest of “Schism.” But just when the listener expects more of the same with “Non-Adapted Socially,” the band throws in some bizarre picking, including a breakdown that sounds oddly enough like CANDIRIA. Genocide also benefits from drummer, Zabek’s jazz background. It fits in perfectly with the blast beats found on “Sentence (To Die),” which sounds like a cross between the DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and MORBID ANGEL. Its unusual mixtures of genres like these that help give the album it’s unique sound. Throughout the Genocide’s twelve songs, the band explores a variety of tempo and time signature changes as well as an abundance of syncopated rhythms, which still manage to flow smoothly despite the band’s tendency to cram as many riffs, solos, and fills as possible into a three minute song. But make no mistake about it, this isn’t DREAM THEATER, this is death fucking metal. Although the band isn’t afraid to experiment or mix it up, they still make sure to provide plenty of grinding riffs, growling, and blast beats to keep the deathheads happy. Lyrically, the band explores a variety of fun family topics such as murder, rape, and torture, but also attempt to find out the reasons why by examining many of the scientific theories and motivations related to these various atrocities. With Genocide, YATTERING have succeeded in experimenting with unconventional song writing arrangements and styles while at the same time keeping the intensity of the album intact, creating one of the more interesting death metal albums I’ve heard in quite some time. (Candlelight)