VOMITORY – All Heads Are Gonna Roll

Finally alive. Finally back on stage. Vomitory is a determined, tight-knit force that made its mark during the golden era of death metal, its chosen genre. Formed in 1989, the Swedish extreme scene was ready to welcome the biggest acts in history—not just from the United States, but also from Sweden itself. Among giants like Entombed, Dismember, Unleashed, and Grave, standing out was far from guaranteed, but Vomitory managed it brilliantly, and in the best possible way. Their early albums, Raped in Their Own Blood (1996) and Redemption (1999), were brutal hits that, blending nascent death metal with the classic extreme influences of Slayer, Venom, and Napalm Death, launched them into the upper echelons of the genre. From there, their path was steady, culminating in Opus Mortis VIII (2011), after which the band took an eight-year hiatus. In 2019, however, they returned, first with epic live shows and then with renewed drive to create new music, culminating in their latest release, All Heads Are Gonna Roll.

 

What to expect from this new album? Not much in terms of innovation, that’s for sure—but listening to Vomitory now feels like meeting an old friend after years apart: joking, laughing, and picking up exactly where you left off. That same sense of familiarity permeates the album itself. Experience plays a key role throughout, delivering the band’s signature violence and dynamism that have defined it from the start. Highlights include the relentless, driving force of Decrowned, the visceral riff-churn and groove of Ode to the Meat Saw, and the dark melodicism in The Deepest Tomb, each track showcasing a band reborn and in top form. Guitarists Urban Gustafsson and Peter Östlund shred razor-sharp riffs non-stop, while Erik Rundqvist’s drumming offers both precision and power, perfectly supporting Tobias Gustafsson’s earth-shattering bass and growls. The album continues in classic old-school death metal style, but introduces subtle variations to keep things engaging, alternating between crushing uptempo assaults and darker, more brooding passages, with occasional nods to the thrash roots of early Slayer and Sepultura.

 

Vomitory’s return with All Heads Are Gonna Roll is energetic and triumphant. The band proves it can deliver even in uncertain times. With improved mixing, the album revives the spirit of their early days but adds new energy, resulting in a consistently positive experience. The hiatus served the band well, and fans are hopeful for what’s next.