This young band hail from Turku in the South of Finland and have been treading the boards and Rigor Mortis Of Souls  is their third independent release. With their press release stating that “Gillmore’s music feels like your masturbating while the shit is being kicked out of you”, it's pretty hard to write a review after a statement like that however onto the music. First track up on this EP is “Sea Of Brutality” which combines elements of NWOBHM and alternate rock, a combination that doesn’t spring to mind directly but, as the song progresses, it takes on a form of gritty European power metal that works pretty well. Next up is “Force Of Nature” which is reminiscent of Danzig thanks to the chunky riff though there is a switch to a more early Judas Priest sound as it progresses, again it's a good, powerful, catchy track. 

The title track “Rigor Mortis Of Souls” fires up next with a hint of Lordi though it drifts more into the harder end of The Cult as is carries on whilst “Crucifictive” nods at Alice Cooper. Not as strong as what has gone before it proves a bit mid paced and isn’t as punchy as the first three tracks thus losing  a touch of momentum. “Under The Flag Of Blood” finishes things off drifting from power metal to a Soundgarden’ish feel but again It falls a bit flat when compared to the earlier efforts.

Overall the first three tracks here are certainly worthy enough but the CD loses it’s way a bit at the end but with an interesting image and excellent presentation, artwork and production it's still impressively slick for an unsigned band. Finland has always been a hotbed of metal and the competition is very tough indeed but I don’t think a record company could go wrong signing these guys up as they are better than a lot of established acts an  as they mature the consistency in their song writing will hopefully improve, a big thumbs up.

Contact:  www.myspace.com/gillmoreband   

Mike Clark