If there’s one thing everyone can agree on about the Polish group’s new album, it’s that it is a step forward. The crowd is split when you ask them if that’s a good thing or not. Some say it’s a step in the wrong direction, while others, such as myself, believe it’s what the group needed. Although tracks like “Veins” and “Blood Mantra” bear more resemblance to the grooves of Slipknot rather than the brutality of the European death metal scene they spawned from, it still sounds just as cut throat and ferocious as any other Decapitated record. None-the-less, there are still plenty of tracks for the old school fans too. Compared to their last release, Carnival is Forever, it’s much more relaxed and has a better flow. Carnival featured some of the tightest material the band had performed, but was very restrained and didn’t flow from song to song. The music on Blood Mantra has a modern vibe, but still executed in classic Decapitated style. The guitar tones have been nailed, while the bass and drums create a powerhouse of sound for the songs to ride on. The lyrics on Blood Mantra are deep and complicated, but the overall theme appears to be the brainwashing of our society due to religion and the media. Blood Mantra is the 6th album from Decapitated, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Rating: 7/10