Rarely is it that an album title perfectly sums up the music within. "From Enslavement To Obliteration" is a great title but does it suggest anything about the songs? What about "Altars Of Madness"? With their seventh full length album, German trio Arroganz, who performed as a duo on this record, tells anyone looking at the release exactly what to expect. There's death metal, doom metal, and punk, and death metal is very much at the forefront of the tracks.

Straight away, the opening song sums up that opening paragraph. "Die For Nothing" boasts some monstrous death growls over fast riffs, which have a snotty sound to them, hence the "punk" vibe. It doesn't set the world on fire, but it's a decent track that I would imagine will go down really well live. It's a similar affair when it comes to the following number, "Under Scarred Skin," which begins with some really thick and tasty bass guitar. It's also the first track where groove plays a heavy role, which does feel like the band's strength. So far, so good.

There's undoubtedly a strong influence from 1990s metal, particularly death metal. At that time, the music felt absolutely filthy and Arroganz has been able to tap into that sound and atmosphere really well. Indeed, there are several times when they really channel Chris Barnes-era Cannibal Corpse, such as "Pain Forged Armour" and especially, "Earth's Final Dose." Arguably, this aspect is the most memorable thing about "Death Doom Punks," and it's something that will appeal to old school death metal fans. Despite the punk riffing and doom-esque weight, those two styles definitely take a back seat compared to the other member of the title's triptych, though death metal has always been more of a priority for Arroganz.

While there are several appealing things about the record, which have been mentioned, it does unfortunately feel quite flat as a whole. Few songs, if any, stay with the listener following their conclusion. Some songs start well enough, but don't really go anywhere, causing them to feel like they outstay their welcome. Such is the case for "Arsenic Breath," which is quite fun to begin with, but by the end felt like it had been circling the same area for too long, like a child playing "Duck Duck Goose" but they'd forgotten to say the last part. "Spirit Arsonist" is also guilty of this, particularly as it starts with a really good bass introduction that gives the impression that it's going to create something very special, but not only becomes more of the same, it then feels twice it's length.

"Death Doom Punks" is...fine. If you miss the 90s death metal sound and want it to hear it done with a more modern twist, you'll probably be interested. I also get the impression that Arroganz is more of a live act than a studio one, as some songs were designed purely to create pits and invite stage divers, which is what several of them will do. When it comes to listening to the record in full though, it goes in one ear and out of the other, leaving very little impact. The band are long enough into their career now that not every album is going to be really important. Some records just come and go and that, when it comes down to it, is what we have here.