Mission Pluto by Tiburón: A Death Metal Odyssey That Packs a Punch
Alright, buckle up, because Mission Pluto by Swiss death metal outfit Tiburón is one wild ride. Released back in 2006 under the Zyriaxon Rex label, this album doesn’t mess around. It’s raw, heavy, and unapologetically brutal—exactly what you’d want from a band flying the flag for death metal in Switzerland. With Manuel Alberati and Monika Bolliger on vocals, Emilio Barrantes handling guitar and drum programming, and Patrick Smonig laying down some seriously gnarly basslines, this crew knows how to deliver the goods.
Let’s dive into a couple of tracks that really stuck with me. First off, there’s “Bone Brigade.” Man, this song hits like a freight train. The riffs are razor-sharp, and the groove is just infectious enough to make you wanna headbang until your neck gives out. What makes it memorable? Probably the way the vocals switch between guttural growls and almost chant-like delivery—it keeps things unpredictable. Plus, the breakdown near the end feels like getting punched in the face by a cyborg. In the best way possible.
Then there’s “Skandal Im Sperrbezirk,” their cover of Spider Murphy Gang’s original track. I wasn’t expecting much from a cover, but holy crap, Tiburón took this tune and turned it into something completely unhinged. They kept the core melody intact but cranked up the chaos with blast beats and shredding solos. It’s an oddball choice for sure, but it works so well that you can’t help but respect their audacity. Covers like this don’t come along every day, and they totally nail it.
The rest of the album holds its own too. Tracks like “At The Stake” and “Hellride” bring relentless energy, while “Ancient Souls” slows things down just enough to let the atmosphere sink in. Even the title track, “Mission Pluto,” has this epic, spacey vibe that fits perfectly with the whole cosmic theme. And hey, who doesn’t love a good shark attack reference? (Looking at you, “Sharkattack.”)
What I dig most about Mission Pluto is how unpolished it feels. There’s no overproduction here—just pure, gritty death metal goodness. You can tell these guys weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel; they just wanted to crush skulls, and they succeeded. Sure, the drum programming might feel a bit mechanical at times, but honestly? It adds to the charm. This isn’t supposed to be perfect—it’s supposed to be heavy as hell.
Here’s the kicker: listening to this album feels like finding an old VHS tape in your attic. It’s got that nostalgic, underground vibe that reminds you why you fell in love with metal in the first place. And honestly, isn’t that what great albums are all about?
So yeah, if you’re into death metal or just looking for something intense to blast while pretending you’re on a mission to Pluto (because why not?), give Mission Pluto a spin. Just maybe warn your neighbors first. Or don’t—live a little.
