Uncleansed - Domination of the Faithful

Full Length, Grindethic Records
2010



2010 marks as the year when the long-awaited debut of Texan horde Uncleansed finally sees the light of day and it indeed sounds like a pretty fruitful wait. 
The band's inception dates back to 2006 when 5 kindered souls got together to play some of the vilest and unwholesome death metal to have ever emerged from Texas and immediately began creating ideas to accomplish this goal. A line-up consisting of some upstanding names in underground death metal like the prolific Shawn Whitaker (Insidious Decrepancy, Viral Load, Grotesque Formation), Jim Case (Imprecation, Infernal Dominion) and Darrel White (Viral Load) would certainly raise the expectation level to dizzying heights and an immediate desire to get slapped by some abrasive tunes. But sadly their visions for an unnholy domination couldn't be fulfilled instantly since this debut venture took 3 long years to be released. Better late then never though, I at least got to hear it and enjoyed the listening experience throughout. 
What we have on ''Domination of the Faithful'' is an enriching blend of old New York Death Metal styled death metal with modern brutality. Jim Case' riffing clearly reminds me of his days with Infernal Dominion where he had created a pretty Incantation-esque, slow paced and diabolical style of death metal and Whitaker's trademark guttural style of vocals hints of Insidious Decrepancy though there aren't much of the groovy/slammish elements on Domination. It simply is a straight forward death metal bludgeoning which has the stern potentiality to captivate an afficianado of the afore-mentioned styles/bands from the beginning till the very end. Loads of high end tremolo picked/down picked riffs, subtle chord progressions and time signatures savored my hunger for some delicious death metal. Darrel's drumming has been quite spot-on with proficient double kicks which go synonymous with the tempo changes. Handsome snare/cymbal patterns and diligently paced blasts add up to the percussive demenaour of Mr. White. The snare sound almost reminds me of the latest Insidious Decrepancy though the latter contained of programmed drum patterns. 

Some of the best moments on the album are on tracks like ''The Summoning'' which begins in a grand fashion, with a great opening rhythm and carries on the hammering suavely until the chaos ceases to a beautifully doom-laced riff, clearly reminding me of Incantation with Shawn's incredible guttural rasps enhancing its notoriety. ''Sacrament of the Ancients'' is another worth mention which begins with an echoing bass endured riff  and continues on to a beautifully carved melodic rhythm, paving way more for yet another rapturous tremolo riff and many more such time signatures to endure the listener further. 
The title track's intro starts off very much like Once Revered (Insidious Decrepancy - Extirpating Omniscient Certitude) and continues the blaze with proficient morbidity. Supported by a few bass sections, the riffs go on to converge to a short Krisiun-esque lead to finish off the song effectively. ''Molecular Immolation'' starts with a catchy melodic riff which continues for till half a minute and descends into other time signatures sporadically. This track also reeks in a doom-laden section towards the middle and leaves me completely rejoiced. ''Conquest of the Heaven'' begins its march with a stellar blast and more tremolos and then ceases to a mid pace with a drowsy bass riff which is quite short lived and the initial carnage ascends once again. A catchy chorus strikes an instant chord with my ears and then the mid-paced frenzy arrives again to climax the rituals of this fantastic musical spectacle.
As you must have already gathered from the description above, the musicians in Uncleansed have reveled in excellent team work which shows up for the brilliant progressions and structures of the songs. Whilst many of the bands fail to mix the ingredients together in vain of brutality and instrumental wankery, these Texan death metal cowboys show why their ranch is considered as one the most destructive in the whole underground death metal scene. This release doesn't actually add a new dimension to death metal nor does it speak of innovation but it actually highlights some striking points of making enjoyable brutal death metal. Get this and see for yourself. 


Official Myspace -
http://www.myspace.com/uncleansedtxdm

Wormed - Quasineutrality (2010)

Single, 2010

Pathologically Explicit Records

Ladies and gentlemen, sit back and be prepared for the sonic apocalypse which has incarnated in the form of Quasineutrality - the latest venture by Spanish brutal death metal band Wormed.
Hear it? Yes its W-O-R-M-E-D.

I know that the idea itself sounds as ecstatic as getting a blowjob from Monica Belluci would and one wouldn't just let the sensation cease away easily. The band had kept their loyal fans waiting and gasping for more since 7 long years and most of us had lost any hopes of hearing anything new from them BUT then came 2010 and a miraculous surprise for all of us! Quasineutrality starts off with where Planisphaerium had ended. Taking the trademark Wormed flavour forward, the two new tracks reek highly of a bludgeoning sound which leaves the listener with pure eargasmic satisfaction.

The recruitment of Migueloud was a crucial step for the band's career and his armory provided a new dimension to Wormed's audial devastation. The duo of Miguel/J. Oliver created a spectacular frenzy of off time signature riffs and cosmic acoustic shreds (Uncoloured Plasma Orifices Transported). Miguel's incredible form since Human Mincer's epochal release Degradation Paradox is also clearly evident in the riff structures since the razor sharp tonality and hypnotic transitions are pretty much what were audible in that album. Added to that, there are some occasional slams too which spice up the intensity manifolds.

The mighty Phlegeton has been phenomenal on the vocal job yet again, spewing forth the deep croaked gutturals from the pits of his worm infested esophagus. Its interesting to note that he also took over the percussive duties after the removal of Andy from the line-up and he executed a flavagasting display of his unfathomed talent with extravagant flamboyance. For people who aren't aware of his multi-faceted musical prowess, Phlegeton handles drum duties for bands like Banished from Inferno, Unsane Crisis etc along with doing artwork, mastering and lyrical conceptualization too. This man is really an epitome for true brutal talent!

A ravishing green-oriented color scheme for the album art provides a required feel for the musical theme which surrounds a phenomenal (Physics/Chemistry) called as Plasma ( a gas in which a certain portion of the particles are ionized. The presence of a non-negligible number of charge carriers makes the plasma electrically conductive so that it responds strongly to electromagnetic fields. Getting quite nerdy eh? Nevermind! Hit Wikipedia for more info on this.)
Another noteworthy thing is that amongst  the heavy barrage of riffs and blasts, the sudden inception of those 'robotic' spoken verses and the alien-istic ambiance gives a chilling sci-fi feel to the music. Fans of Star Trek and Death Metal have really a reason to cherish now since they can enjoy both their favorite entities together in a gratifying mixture. So pick up your popcorn and nachos, sit back and get ready for a really enrapturing astral voyage to the depths of the luminous space.

Check out the band at - http://www.myspace.com/wormed


Final Verdict:
9.5/10

Vomit The Soul - Apostles Of Inexpression

Full Length, July 2009

Unique Leader Records

Italian Brutal Death Metal trio Vomit the Soul have returned with their latest offering ''Apostles of Inexpression'' which is the band's second full length. They shot into the Italian underground almost a decade back but got attention only after their debut full length in 2005 which was entitled as ''Portraits of Inhuman Abomination''.

After hearing their name for the first time, you'd be reminded of the Cannibal Corpse song from ''Butchered at Birth'' but don't let the name decieve you. Albeit the band was highly influenced by the Floridian pioneers during their earlier days, there is certainly no CC worship going on here but a purely 'slamtastic' performance on AOI which is capable of blowing away your brain into disintegrated fragments.

The 35 minutes juggernaut unleashes 8 tracks oozing with groovy slams and razor sharp technical riffage. The production is sharp, crispy and provides a great substance to the band's compositional skills. The recording was finished way back in April/May 2008 at the 16th Cellar Studios in Rome but it was able to see the light of day only a year after when the band inked a 2 disc deal with American giants Unique Leader records. The cover art done by Marco Hassman also stands apart as a stellar exemplary of splendid graphic imagery.

Speaking of the musicianship being executed on the album, there is a well improved and proficient display of brutal mechanism. The band has certainly raised the bar from their earlier full length and has been able to pull off a more aggressive and vehement performance. Its not very often that you hear a brutal death metal album carrying all ingredients to make it taste spicier and jucier than ever but Apostles of Inexpression is definitely a record which satisfies the urge of BDM maniacs.

The vocals are your average down tuned, exhaled gutturals slightly in vein of Dying Fetus although more throaty and deep, occasional grunts and some nicely executed high pitched squeals. The riffs written by Max (who also handles the vocals) are spectacularly catchy and extravagantly heavy. Being the sole guitarist in the band, his credibility has to be certainly applauded since managing both the lead and rythm sections single handedly and still being able to make such ominous and catchy grooves is certainly not a cakewalk. His guitar armoury relies heavily upon dissonant tremelo picked riffs and efficiently palm muted riffage.

Maurizio has been a beast behind the drum kit providing the spontaniety which this album highly boasts off. Graciously timed blast beats, grooves and double bass sections prodive aptness to the striking riffage. The recording done at 16th Stellar Studios also deserve a special mention behind the percussive efficiencies since the snare and cymbals sound very sonorous and manage not be yet another ''tin can'' drum sound which many of the brutal death metal/goregrind albums possess.

But one of the biggest highlights of this album according to me has to be Andrea's extravagantly rich bass lines! Holy shit! I can't remember the last time I heard a death metal album having such a munching bass line. The bass flows unconstrainedly along with the riffs throughout the album and it gives an orgasmic pleasure whenever I sit down and play this record.

Its quite interesting to see how all the three departments have been able to make a healthy accord with each other and have been able to give a monstrous output. Vomit the Soul have been able to fuse technicality with a straightforward genre like Slam quite suavely and managed to be not just another medicore band whose attempts at experimentation failed miserably and thats the point where I'd like to give them maximum marks.

So, if you still haven't heard this amazing album, then curse yourself for being extremely sluggish and try to give it a listen as soon as you can! I am sure that it'd leave you basking with extacy and your neighbours fuming with angst.

P.S - Emo kids beware! Vomit the Soul are coming to hack you into pieces and mince in a meatgrinder. (Grins ghoulishly!)

Best songs - Overcrowd, Self Perception Veil and Prototypes of Value Incarnation

Final rating - 9/10

Embryonic Depravity - Constrained By The Miscarriage Of Conquest

Full length, Permeated Records

November 2009

Embryonic Depravity is one of latest ensembles in the UK brutal death metal scene. They recently released their debut full length entitled as ''Constrained by the Miscarriage of Conquest'' on Italian label Permeated Records which also has bands like Septycal Gorge, Vomit the Soul etc on it's artistic roster and both those bands have slayed with their latest ventures.

There has been a sudden upsurge in the underground brutal death metal scene in UK with bands like Amputated, Fleshrot, Kastrated, Crepitation, Ingested, Infected Disarray etc raising the sickness quotient. Previously known as Odium Incarnate, Embryonic Depravity has joined this brutal brigade with elan.

I wouldn't really tag Constrained.. as something exceptional but the efforts of these British sickfucks are pretty noteworthy. This album is a must listen for fans of US style gut wrenching brutality. Like a majority of other brutal death bands, Embryonic Depravity take their basics from American goremongers Disgorge and given it their own twisted and deviant shape.

Their style can be easily described as ruthless brutal death metal with nicely layed technical dissonance. One complaint which I have is the playing length which is just under 27 minutes. There are a totality of 10 tracks so it makes up for an average of almost 3 minutes per song with the longest song being the title track which lasts for about 5 minutes. Another good factor which can be noticed is judicious usage of slams or breakdowns being employed. They are mixed with the merciless blast sections in a handsome ratio and doesn't let a monotone to evolve.

These young musicians seem pretty spot on with their musical intricateness. Rob Newson the vocalist has delivered a ferocious guttural onslaught which is bound to create a buzz in the listeners ears. The dual guitar bombardment by Pete and Will is also well executed a la Severed Saviour, latest Deeds of Flesh and somewhat Defeated Sanity. The percussion has been fairly good with efficient double blass sections, grooves and hyperblasts. The mixing and mastering has been conducted at the 16th Cellar Studios in Italy who have previously worked on Hour of Penance, Blasphemer (Ita) and Vomit the Soul and have granted this album a great modern sound. All the instruments have been fairly audible and maleficently fluent.

So it has been a promising overall effort by these young turks and has left me enthusiastic about their future material. Currently they are looking forward to massacre UK with the upcoming ''Erasing The UK Tour'' where they would be sharing stage with Amputated and fellow label mates Septycal Gorge and Vomit the Soul. A good exposure would do the trick for these guys and the rest would be done by their musical artillery.

Recommended for fans of ultra sick, bowel regurgitating and technically savoured death metal.

7.8/10

Official Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/embryonicdepravity

Human Mincer - Degradation Paradox (2008)

Line Up:
Guilemoth - Bass
Phlegeton - Vocals
David - Drums
Miguel - Guitar

Country: Spain
Record Label:Brutal Bands


Track list:
1. Flask Copper Deglutition
2. Sculpturing Himself Atrocity
3. Degradation Paradox
4. Dyskinetic Martyr Modification
5. Scaphocephaly: Status: Error
6. Macromutation Overflowed
7. Thoughts Inner Illogical Collapse
8. Turbulent Migratorious Conceptions

Total playing time 27:04

Spanish brutal death metallers Human Mincer have returned with their latest venture entitled as ‘Degradation Paradox’ after a long hiatus of 3 years. They shot to fame in the Spanish underground scene after the release of their first demo ‘’Grotesque Visceral Extraction’’ in 1999 and there hasn’t been any looking back since then.

Their earlier full lengths ‘’Embryonized’’ and ‘’Devoured Flesh’’ were instrumental in making them a household name in the underground scene. The band has been marred by frequent line up changes since their inception but it didn’t really hamper their immense focus towards composing some extremely sick and technical music to charm the loyal followers of the BDM scene.

Human Mincer’s career took a huge turning point when Carlos (Vocals) and Antonio (Bass) decided to leave the band during the summer of 2006. The guys who were recruited to fill in these vacant positions were none other than Phlegeton (Vocals) and Guillemoth (Bass) from the bizarre Spanish Brutal Death Metal band ‘’Wormed’’. This new incredible line up was then ready to massacre the weak in the most heinous way possible.

In January 2008, the newly formed line up entered the studio to work upon their third album to be released by Brutal Bands which is undeniably one of the most revered DM record labels in the world. They had earlier worked with Xtreem Music owned by the legendary Dave Rotten which had released their first two albums.

Their earlier sound was very much reminiscent of Disgorge (USA) and similar other American Brutal Death Metal bands but now it can be pretty easily compared with the sound of Wormed with more variations and intricate song patterns. The inclusion of the profane duo from Wormed was subservient in giving them their new implausible sound.

This 27 minute juggernaut unleashes a relentless assault on the eardrums of the listener containing every ingredient to be served in front of multitudes of fans hungry for a truly barbarous display of blasting Brutal Death Metal.
It should have been come out with a warning sign ‘’Beware of serious neck breaking headbanging’’ in my opinion. An absolute inhumane slab of gravity blasts, inhumane riffs and monstrous vocals makes you jump with ecstasy everytime you play this record.

As far as the individual performances are concerned, Miguel’s guitar skills have been absolutely astonishing and awe-inspiring throughout the record. His playing style is not anything much different from the other guitarists in the scene but the reason why he receives an enormous appraisal is the way he has executed them. There has been an intelligent usage of groovy, thick downtuned chugs (Not the slam death metal types though) intertwined with frequent tremolo picked, palm muted riffs and occasional pinch harmonics. Abrupt tempo changes and innovative rhythm sections also highlight the amount of dexterity been exuded by him. The sumptuous production by BB also compliments his hard work very dearly.

Talking about vocals, Phlegeton has been a total monster on the mic on DP. He has been instrumental in devastating the auditory senses of the listener through his loathsome brand of ultra low gutturals. He sounds like Leatherface’s chainsaw persistently buzzing with angst and craving to savor the taste of bright red human blood. His vocal style is basically categorized with very low frequency croaks and squeals and the amount of adroitness which he employs while unleashing them out of his throat is simply phenomenal! I became a huge fan of his vocals the day I heard Wormed but the performance in this CD made me worship him.

This multi-talented musician has been active in the Spanish underground scene since quite a long time, playing for various other bands like Unsane Crisis, Infernal (Col), Banished from Inferno etc. where he also plays drums apart from doing vocal duties. He is also a well know illustrator and graphic designer in the underground DM scene and has designed cover arts and logos for various bands like Avulsed, Mortician, Disgorge (Mex), Gloria Morti, Benighted, Kronos, Revenant, Funebre, Guttural Secrete, Wormed, Reinfection, Impure, Golgotha, Embryonic Devourment, Vidres a la Sang, Infested and Human Mincer’s Degradation Paradox too. So, total respect for him.

The drums on this album have been totally exceptional. I remember watching a live footage of David’s drumming skills on the song ‘’Dyskinetic Martyr Modification’’ and was awestruck watching him. He appeared totally inhumane there as he did on the CD.
This album would not have sounded so epic without the earnest efforts of this gentleman.
His incessant gravity blasts have left a profound impression on me and through that I can easily put him in the league of the most talented drummers out in the scene today.
What is even more brilliant about him is that he hasn’t allowed the drums to overpower the guitars by maintaining a prodigious variance on his playing speed.
He has also succeeded in playing the slower groovy parts with much ease and combining them with the ferocity of his blasting skills.

The production level is also very impressive and has been the most prominent factor in giving the dark and thick sound which this album boasts of.
It’s a record which you will love to blast on your speakers at full volume to give a heart attack to your grouchy neighbors. The word extravagant would be just an understatement to describe the grandeur of this magnum opus.

It possesses a unique charisma which makes it sound pristine even after giving over a zillion plays. There is no such moment where you would feel like interrupting the CD and switching over to another record. So, I advise all the guys who are desperate to experience an unpretentious and insane onslaught of original and bizarre Death Metal to get a copy of this record and blare it loud on your music player. You would be left more than satisfied.

Stay brutal.

Cheers!

Rating - 9.5/10

Check out Human Mincer on their official Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/humanmincer

Insidious Decrepancy - Extirpating Omniscient Certitude (2009)

Full Length, Brutal Bands

July 31st, 2009

Track List:

1.	Contemptuous Inception	04:43
2.	Tribulation	02:56
3.	Slighting Salvation	03:22
4.	Once Revered	03:47
5.	Extirpating Omniscient Certitude	03:36
6.	Perpetual Equanimity	04:09
7.	Adorned In Agony	03:32
8.	Derided Reticence	03:30

Total Playing Time - 29:37 Minutes

The one man ear gutting machine from Texas; Insidious Decrepancy has struck once again after a 4 year long hiatus with his latest offering called ‘’Extirpating Omniscient Certitude’’. Shawn Whitaker once again proves that he is the master of his style of Metal which is heavy, uncompromising and ugly. It always surprises me that how is he able to manage all the departments all by himself with such ease and precision. This compulsive ability makes him one of the most revered guys in today’s Brutal Death Metal scene. He has never failed to astonish the masses with his gruesome acts of butchery since his colossal outburst in the 90’s. The first profane progeny of this bespectacled genius was Viral Load which set foot on Texas’ soil way back in ’96.

But his quench for brutality didn’t cease with Viral Load as he decided to make another band to bludgeon the masses with his tools of the trade. That lead to the emergence of the mighty Insidious Decrepancy. He became a household name in the Brutal Death Metal legion soon after his eponymous debut named ‘’Decadent Orgy of Atrocious Suffering’’ which unleashed a highly exasperated incursion unto the minds of the listeners.

The follow up to that cult classic called ‘’The Inerrancy of Profanation’’ took 3 years to disgorge its wrath unto the imprudent apostles but it satisfied the quench of his fans who were desperate for yet another gore dripping holocaust. I can never stop lauding the illustriousness of these two classics and it made me yearn for more.

And after a prolonged wait, he is back on the track once again with his third magnum opus to pillage the scene kids with his torturous cacophonies. The album clocks around 30 minutes consisting of 8 vehement tracks which rupture one’s cerebral vessels and torments the auditory senses. It’s what I define as ‘In your face brutality’ which comes punching straight onto your eardrums and they begin to plead mercy from the unholy desecrator. The first track Contemptuous Inception gives a perfect idea of how the rest of the album is going to treat you. An absolute monstrous riff marks the opening of the song and hell breaks loose. His signature riffs are worth worshiping and that’s what maintains the high amount of originality exuded by the master of Texas Death Metal. The lead sections are terrific as usual but he is hasn’t employed them in full glory in his latest offering though. The title song ‘Extirpating Omniscient Certitude’ begins with a melodic lead and soon fades into his enormous gutturals just like the calm before a storm. He possesses a bewitching ability to change from leads to the rhythm sections which is awe-inspiring! His mighty Jackson axe almost resembles a medieval spear craving to taste the blood of ludicrous mortals.

Another great highlight on this album is the flawless drumming. It’s highly noteworthy to see that how someone can manage such intricate drum patterns through programming. I am not a huge fan of programmed drums but this dude totally makes an exception. Anyone checking out Insidious for the first time through the new album wouldn’t be even able to make out that it’s not a human drummer doing those machine gun blasts! A lot of people say that he should better employ a ‘real’ drummer made of flesh and blood to make his music more spot on but I don’t agree with that opinion. He is always able to do it better all by himself rather than being dependent on other musicians.

The insalubrious cover art by Par Olofsson also stands out and works out perfectly to showcase the pernicious attitude of this album. It depicts an angel whose wings have been amputated and she begs mercy from the iniquitous ghouls of hell to spare her seraphic soul from eternal damnation. It perfectly justifies the antichristian lyrical theme of Shawn’s music.

Another big reason of my immense admiration for this guy is his exquisite vocal delivery.

His style of singing (actually growling) is one of the most unique I ever heard. The amount of barbarity exuded by his gutturals is undeniably prodigious.

What is really special is the way how he abruptly transforms to malignant shrieks from his trademark gutturals and he has lived up to my expectation in this record too.

Songs like ‘Once Revered’, ‘Tribulation’ and ‘Adorned in Agony’ are great examples of his proficiency. The production on this album has also improved from his earlier efforts which make it sound even more colossal! Every instrument is clearly audible and distinguishable in the mix. Although some guys would complain about the absence of that sick ‘raw’ sound of the earlier releases but it hardly makes any difference for me until and unless the music is nicely executed. And Shawn hardly disappoints in that case.

His perfectionist attitude makes him a legend in today’s Brutal Death Metal scene.

I can easily say that this is his best performance since his path breaking debut album which caused a severe annihilation almost 7 years ago. There is not even a single moment of monotony where you would feel like switching over to some other record. That’s the hypnotic effect which Shawn possesses. His fiercely captivating and putrid hymns keep the listeners to the edge of their seats from the very beginning of an album and till its monstrous end.

Overall, this is a highly malicious dosage of evil Death Metal which is certainly going to create waves in the coming days and going to cement a rock solid position in the list of the most classic Brutal Death Metal albums ever created.

I wish him all the best with this release and also for the future and hope that he keeps on exterminating the masses with his slab of Texas Brutal Death Metal.

Final Verdict:

9.5/10