At the core when you strip away the gore fixation that might seek to label them as gore-grind these guys are a death metal band. Their biggest influence is Cannibal Corpse, which can be heard in the drumming and the low muffled gutturals. How they set themselves apart from just being another spawn of Cannibal Corpse is their fetish for grooves. Does this have more of a hard-core feel? At times but it doesn't diminish the fact they are a death metal band. Normally when it comes to something this dense and heavy, my concern would be can they write songs. The first two songs give them a big thumbs up in this department, but can they maintain my interest or is this going to feel tiresome midway into the album and lose my interest? I guess we are going to find out.
They are on Century Media now so perhaps that inspired them to get serious about what they are doing. "Pissed" might not have the same drive to the groove that induced head banging, but it works as a song. Their front man has gone on record saying lyrically this album is less about gore and more about the psychology behind fetishes. But with a song called "Testicular Rot" I find this hard to believe, and maybe that statement only pertains to some of the songs. His grunts are not the easiest to decipher. Some of the blast beats are a little stiff on this song, and I could see myself getting bored with them and perhaps even annoyed if it was a reoccurring theme, "Hungry for Your Insides" finds the grooves coming back, however at only a one and a half, their grind core tendencies come through and they do not have as much time to develop this. I do however appreciate it more than how they step on the gas with "Skin Cushion" which finds the riffs feeling a little more rushed. The greater production value gives even this kind of assault more textures.
"A Lesson in Savagery" finds them conform more closely to the modern standards of death metal. The chugged guitar is intense, and the drums are more nuanced as the double bass runs you over. It does give into some of their more grind core tendencies, though at four and a half minutes they give themselves room to grow. While this is normally no my preferred genre it does go to show that if something is done well enough it can win me over. Even the pig squealing does not get under my skin like it normally does. Despite the very clanky old school Cannibal Corpse snare sound the drummer continues to be the one who really steps up his game for this album. This makes moments that might seem lackluster with someone else on the throne work for this album. The bass making itself known at several points here is also a key selling point.
Things feel darker and more oppressive going into "Mortal Admonishment." The groove of the verse is more typical in terms of what we expect from the more brutal strains of death metal. The breakdown feel of the riffs on this song is pretty cool. "Proclamation of the Frail" finds a burst of speed thrown into a pretty powerful and otherwise impressive chug. While the vocals have stayed at the same monotone gurgle, they ride the grooves in a very purposeful way that keeps me from getting bored with them. The last song has one of the album's most infectious riffs going on to prove that these guys learned you can be heavy as a hundred fucks and still write good songs. I will give this album a 9.
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