Goatwhore’s last release ‘A Haunting Curse’ was written and recorded with the back drop of possibly some of the most extreme circumstances imaginable, if the near fatal car wreck that befell vocalist Ben Falgoust was not traumatic enough, Hurricane Katrina all but consumed the bands home town New Orleans at great personal cost to each of the bands members. So it was nothing more than a minor miracle ‘A Haunting Curse’ was ever released let alone to be one of the stand out albums of 2006. The channeled aggression fuelled from the events that surrounded the band proved the impetus to produce a stellar album but and one wonders given the less chaotic events of 2009 would Goatwhore be able to raise the bar again?

The first notable point of the material that makes it onto 'Carving Out The Eyes Of God' is just how much of an old school vibe the band have achieved, be it knowingly or subconsciously. While the album dances around the edges of sounding akin to a whole array of bands they never overstep the mark and become a carbon copy of what has influenced them. The sinister mix of sounds and genres that Goatwhore combined to make ‘A Haunting Curse’ the success it was has been adhered to but with one significant improvement; the musicianship. While never sloppy in their delivery the endless touring has given the band confidence and a tightness that ensures the each song is lean and violently concise.

The ever vigilant Erik Rutan has ensured the best performance to date is extracted from the band to devastating effect as their trademark mutant Black Metal Southern drawl has never sounded so potent. Sammy Duet’s thunderous riffing is drenched in Celtic Frost influences and comes at you like a barrage of sonic destruction and Simmons and Bergeron’s low end rhythm section supports the whole cacophony on rock solid foundations.

There is little doubt that 'Carving Out The Eyes Of God' is a striking and imposing release full of tense anguish, spitting back at the world as much venom as it dishes out. At no point does the album loose direction or focus in the name of ferocity however, and this is where the band has learnt their craft well since ‘A Haunting Curse’. You’d question whether the band were capable of writing such songs as ‘To Mourn and Forever Wander Through Forgotten Doorways’ 3 years ago, whereas now they seem as natural as if they were producing this quality of tune forever and a day. The only question that remains is how much more does Goatwhore have to offer, and on this performance the future could be full of Louisiana Black Metal Sludge?