I have to admit I am totally unfamiliar with this US band whose third full length I got the privilege to review this month. Initially I expected second rate death metal but I am so glad I was totally wrong.
The moment “Insanity’s Grip” starts off there is an immediate grind vibe and a drum sound that is very similar to Hateplow’s “The Only Law Is Survival” from 2000. Noticeably the sound and mix of this album is raw and unfettered by technical twiddle twaddle. This album is as truer a death metal and grind album I have heard in years. The riffing style has that grind ferocity and complimented by some devastating drumming courtesy of Jim ".50 cal" Deabenderfer. There are obvious comparisons to grind acts like Nasum and Insect Warfare but the band prefers to use a death metal template for their sonic savagery. It is refreshing to hear an album of such violence and ferocity without resorting to over produced triggering effects for the speed aspects.
“Mind And Body Deteriorated” has some cracking groove elements provided by the Obituary like riffing as “Against Their Will” is a full on obliterating grind assault. The rather lovely “Fuck You” chant in “Paralyzed With Fear” had me singing along easily making “Haunted Remains” feel catchy in a way that Cattle Decapitation always manage to capture. The songs vary considerably in length indicating the grind and death influences from all aspects, case in point being the five minute crushing death dirge of “Embrace The Aftermath” which possesses a tsunami of riff changes each surpassing the other with each change in pace. Another catchy little ditty in the form of “Rage On... Fuck Off” rears its ugly grind head and is about as subtle as a size 15 steel toe boot to the teeth. “Extinction Endured” has some thrash elements on the riffing like most grind does but becomes purely old school death metal when the double bass bulldozes its way through the mix; sheer quality.
As we all know variety is the spice of our metal lives and “Affliction Of The Beast” has that slow pulverising bass kick which draws you into an all encompassing death metal asphyxiation as the riff changes crush you into aural oblivion. I loved every track on this album as it blends breakneck grind speed with pounding death rhythms that anyone from the late 80s and early 90s will remember so well. Anyone with an interest in Autopsy, early Death, Obituary, Malevolent Creation, Deicide, insert your favourite 90s death metal band here ………………………, will absolutely worship this.
http://www.cardiacarrest666.com
http://www.myspace.com/deathrot
