So, yeah... I got lazy and busy. Truth is, Metal Hut really has not been my top concern in the past months. Anyway, I tried my best to make this post a special one, with the teaser last week and the big number of albums here. A lot of brutal music has been up lately, so I tried my best to include most of them. Don't forget about Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel later this year!
1. Cerebral Incubation - Bifurcation Of Primordial Slamateurs
With an artwork portraying a caveman looking Bigfoot ripping some poor bystanders into tiny bitey pieces, Cerebral Incubation prove with their 2017 sophomore effort why Slam is still one of the last genres that can still make me uncomfortable. It's not only the brutality on display, even though unspeakable acts of viciousness go down in these 24 minutes, but the weird sexual obsession that these slamateurs have. The intro to Force-Fed Smegma Spread is probably only about 20 seconds, but it feels like it lasts for hours while that Randy describes the process of procreation. Hard stuff.
Cerebral Incubation - Bifurcation Of Primordial Slamateurs
2. Devourment - Butcher the Weak
Sporting a 2017 re-release, this older album proudly displays in 32 minutes why it's a Slam classic for the ages. Like most of these albums, the music never really lets you take a break, constantly assaulting you with a ton of headbangable riffs and demonic vocals. As far as spoken intros go, the one that starts off Butcher the Weak is as good as gets. It perfectly sets the mood for the vitriol to follow.
Devourment - Butcher the Weak
Download Devourment - Butcher the Weak
3. Devourment - Conceived in Sewage
Download Devourment - Conceived in Sewage
Download Kraanium - Post Mortal Coital Fixation
Download Pathology - Awaken To The Suffering
Download Pathology - Legacy Of The Ancients
Download Pathology - Pathology
Download Slamophiliac - Slam Obsessed
Download Archspire - Relentless Mutation
Download The Black Dahlia Murder - Nightbringers
Download Canker - Earthquake
Download Cannabis Corpse - Left Hand Pass
Download Desecresy - The Mortal Horizon
Download Exhumed - Death Revenge
Download Incantation - Profane Nexus
Download Morbid Evils - Deceases
Download Septicflesh - Codex Omega
Download Brujeria - Matando güeros
Download Expulsion - Nightmare Future
Download Helpless - Debt
Download Leng Tch'e - Razorgrind
Download Lock Up - Demonization
Download Nails - Abandon All Life
Download Nails - You Will Never Be One of Us
Download Phobia - Lifeless God
3. Devourment - Conceived in Sewage
While not as Slamtastic as Butcher the Weak, with Devourment leaving their Slam roots behind the door, so you can barely hear them scratch the surface instead of being the main star, Conceived in Sewage displays a much more traditional Brutal Death Metal style. Even if that's the case, and maybe the artwork is pretty similar to their 2005 album, but this is still great and worth a listen.
Devourment - Conceived in Sewage
4. Kraanium - Post Mortal Coital Fixation
So, this album is basically your Devourment stuff, maybe some Pathology in there but really slowed down for maximum effect, so the vocals and riffs can tear your flesh straight off your bones.The guitar parts are all expertly done, moving along at a snail's pace (at least comparatively). Anyway, there isn't much that elevates Post Mortal Coital Fixation above very fun and competently sung Slam.
Kraanium - Post Mortal Coital Fixation
5. Pathology - Awaken To The Suffering
As an album from my favorite Slam band, Awaken To The Suffering could have suffered from the absence of original vocalist, Matti Way. While mr. Way is on two other albums from Pathology that I absolutely adore, Jonathan Huber's contribution here is as great as anyone could ask for. His grunts are decent and crazed beyond belief, but I do miss Matti's vocals. Anyway, there is a special thing here, which is melody. Melody in Slam? Unholy.
Pathology - Awaken To The Suffering
6. Pathology - Legacy Of The Ancients
This record came right before Matti's and Jonathan switch as vocalists, and I really love it. The intro track is very good, and Legacy actually has a building-up thing going on, rarely seen on these simplistic, caveman Slam records. This is one of the reasons I really love Pathology and their way of switching stuff up. Also, while I prefer the instrumental on Awaken, Matti's almost decipherable bellows make this whole thing much more enjoyable than it might have been.
Pathology - Legacy Of The Ancients
7. Pathology - Pathology
Now, as tradition goes here, my favorite album of a band has a 80% chance being the latest of theirs. Some exceptions apply, but Pathology are not one. This was my initial exposure to Slam, and Lamentation remains my favorite song in this certain genre. Musically, this is a combo of their previous releases, very fitting for a self-titled. Matti has returned and his vocals have devolved into more of a basic grunt, used very fittingly as a musical instrument, as Slam goes. Top shit.
Pathology - Pathology
8. Slamophiliac - Slam Obsessed
Slamophiliac is an one-man band that plays disgustingly brutal Slam, and Slam Obsessed just might be his greatest achievement. The production is a work of art for this genre. It is just the perfect way to mix this kind of music. It blew my mind the first time. The broadcast intro is also genius. All in all I have no idea how all these great things came together to form this album, but I'm very happy they did.
Slamophiliac - Slam Obsessed
9. Slamophiliac - Slam Rehab
While not as good as Slam Obsessed, you should never look a gift hose in the mouth. One of the most impressive things about Darryn must be how he is able to pump out so many records and keep such an impressive standard of quality in all of them. You should surely support this artist and his future endeavors in the crazy world of Slam, but by the time you're done reading this post, he might have a new slab of 30 minutes of brutality.
Slamophiliac - Slam Rehab
10. Vulvodynia - Cognizant Castigation
Back when I came in contact with Vulvodynia, I had no idea about what Slam was and I got weirded out by the pig squeals and BREEs, but now I'm fully equipped and ready for some more. While the Vs are a very funny and dank bunch, seeming like a bunch of guys you could hang out with, their music is also great. Happily, Psychosadistic Design is not their only great album, so go on and give their debut a try.
Vulvodynia - Cognizant Castigation
11. Archspire - Relentless Mutation
This is already heralded as one of the new classics of TechDeath, praised for the skill and forward-thinking on display. I'd say rightly so. The riffs are all stellar and difficult to play, but not extra pretentious. The vocals are a God-damn epiphany for me. They are like pal ole-pal Corpsegrinder on speed, absolutely going crazy on that mic. Worthwhile stuff, really.
Archspire - Relentless Mutation
12. Belphegor - Totenritual
Three years after Conjuring the Dead, a record I very much enjoyed for the emphasis on the Death Metal parts that possesses the Austrian group, Belphegor came back with a vengeance and a regained sense of Black Metal melody in the form of a 42 minute record, Totenritual. This is pretty much Belphegor as usual, great riffs and creepy atmosphere, which is built up with numerous audio tracks that start off certain songs. One of them, Swinefelter, I used in last week's teaser.
Belphegor - Totenritual
13. The Black Dahlia Murder - Nightbringers
After a streak of excellent albums in the rhythm of 2 years, The Black Dahlia Murder have established themselves firmly as one of the top MeloDeath groups active now. The majestic artwork only manages to improve the package that is Nightbringers. Other than that, this is business as usual for the boys, one song shorter than very other of their albums. The riffs are great, the screaming is through the roof, the quality keep improving. Good game, TBDM.
The Black Dahlia Murder - Nightbringers
14. Canker - Earthquake
Now these Canker dudes are very interesting, since they've been around since forever and they only have 2 albums. They play a very impressive style of Thrash-Death, and I wish they got more recognition. They have signed to Xtreem Music, and released their second LP this year, but it was written back in 2005. It keeps up their standard, and I hope it all goes better for them from now on.
Canker - Earthquake
15. Cannabis Corpse - Left Hand Pass
Consistently one of the funniest sources of Death Metal related humor, Cannabis Corpse have the disadvantage of being taken as a joke, even if their music is as tight and brutal as it could be. The vocals are probably the highlights on this one as well, while my favorite song off this record is The 420th Crusade, which else. For real now, Cannabis Corpse have ascended long ago over the status of "Cannibal Corpse parody". They are now their own selves, doing their own thing. Great moves, guys, proud of ya', keep it up.
Cannabis Corpse - Left Hand Pass
16. Desecresy - The Mortal Horizon
Amidst the multitude of Death Metal releases this year, Finnish band Desecresy stood out with their truly unique brand of Death. Barely used drumming, creating atmosphere rather than a showcase of unimaginable skill, combined with the sinister riffs and demonic vocals buried under everything, make for this to go on Doom DM territory, never quite getting there though. Also, the production is very hit or miss, but it helps with the morbid, bleak universe this record creates.
Desecresy - The Mortal Horizon
17. Exhumed - Death Revenge
While Exhumed were never really favorites of mine, with Death Revenge they have weirdly produced one of the best records and evolutions in Death Metal this year. Really, how impressive is it for an older band to evolve from gimmick stuff like Gore Metal in 1998 to a full on concept album like this, about murders and grave robberies in Victorian England? Also, the side shit that main man Matt Harvey has been doing have had a great impact upon the creation of this little masterpiece. This album is filled with Schuldiner riffs, an obvious take-away from Death homage band Gruesome, which I love. Great, great, great, amazing all around.
Exhumed - Death Revenge
18. Incantation - Profane Nexus
Onward To Golgotha is praised at every street corner (dark street corner, that is), and the New York based group have created the particular style of playing Death Metal that many have tried to emulate. When I think of Incantation, I think of a rotting old corpse in a swamp, surrounded by creatures of death and fear (kinda like this), this being the exact feeling they probably intended for me to have while listening to their stuff. Profane Nexus is showed me that this can work even when the sound is clean and polished, featuring one of the best Death Metal songs this year, Rites Of The Locust.
Incantation - Profane Nexus
19. Morbid Evils - Deceases
Deceases is a whole different beast than we're used to seeing when it comes to Death Metal. Their sound is like Morbid Angel picking up Doom instead of shitty industrial music, but I'm still not comfortable calling this a Death-Doom record. The sound is horrifying, creating a constant buzz sound that ensnares the listener, while Rotten Sound frontman roars on top of sickly killer riffs about depressing ways to die. Point is, this is a weird album, full of vitriol and quality music.
Morbid Evils - Deceases
20. Septicflesh - Codex Omega
Why are Septicflesh so good and entertaining to listen to? The mystery that envelops the Greece-based group remains as strong as ever, with them furthering the quality of their output with their latest release, Codex Omega. With an Alien looking cover on display, this album shows how Septicflesh continue to fuse orchestral music with the fiercest of Death Metal stuff, competing Fleshgod Apocalypse for the top spot in this particular niche.
Septicflesh - Codex Omega
21. Brujeria - Matando güeros
Brujeria are a special kind of band, with all their theatrics, secret identities and last but not least, their brutal music. Since they're from Mexico, there's a certain unhinged feel that you rarely get even from Grind albums from 'Murica. They have a point to prove, and they touch upon it with their tales of the border, drug deals, satanic rituals and general insanity. Also, that cover is downright crazy. Props for balls, guys.
Brujeria - Matando güeros
22. Expulsion - Nightmare Future
The only nightmare here is this record not happening, since when you get an itch scratched when you didn't even know you had it, you can't fathom that being taken away. Keeping the Repulsion fame intact, riff master Matt Olivo has created a side-project with Exhumed vocalist Matt Harvey and now the happily play good ole' Grind for the grace of extreme metallers everywhere. This is sadly just an EP, spanning 14 minutes, but it shows great promise for things to come.
Expulsion - Nightmare Future
23. Helpless - Debt
A 22-minute slab of UK grindcore, Debt was released back in September and has since been a worthy example of how to express your loathing in music form. I find it funny how Grind becomes even harder to digest when it slows down, and Helpless do good work in showing that head-on. Also, what a cool fucking artwork, perfectly encapsulating the feeling here.
Helpless - Debt
24. King Parrot - Ugly Produce
I can sum up King Parrot like this: hey, know how Grind sound like Punk with Death Metal in it? Well, my boys have replaced the Death with the Thrash, trying to get the catchy choruses and energetic riffs into the tried and tested formula. Not only I respect this direction, but I'm proud of how well it works in making Ugly Produce a slab of extremely fun party Grind.
King Parrot - Ugly Produce
25. Leng Tch'e - Razorgrind
Leng Tch'e are apparently old cats in this Grind stuff, and it really doesn't fucking show. This is some of the tightest, most brutal and glorious Grindcore I have heard in a lot of time. The vocals are relentless and the band never lets you breathe for 37 minutes, which is exactly what I need from my Grind. This is not favorite Grind album or something, but neither do I see stuff that I dislike here, so...
Leng Tch'e - Razorgrind
26. Lock Up - Demonization
Lock Up is the gift for you Grinders from the Olden Gods. Featuring the mighty Shane Edbury and members of Brutal Truth and Brujeria, they play, what else? Death Metal spiced with Grind for everyone to enjoy, this is another one of those longer Grind records, clocking in at almost 45 minutes. Basically, this is another relentless attack on your ears, reminding you why you love your extreme music.
Lock Up - Demonization
27. Nails - Abandon All Life
Now, Nails are very well known, with their 2016 record being built up to be made of the body and blood of Christ, but in the meantime their second album could have been lost in the hurry. While I admit that Abandon All Life is my least favorite album by the Grind masters, that doesn't mean it's anything short of amazing.
Nails - Abandon All Life
28. Nails - You Will Never Be One of Us
You guessed it, You Will Never Be One of Us is my favorite album by Nails, featuring one of the best Grindcore songs, the title track, a true anthem of the hatred for outsiders that only Grindheads could fully enjoy. Still, I wish Nails didn't drop 20 minutes of music every 3 years and I would't have to go on the long wait so much.
Nails - You Will Never Be One of Us
29. Phobia - Lifeless God
Phobia are another group of older gentlemen in this piss and blood filled pool that is the Grind scene, and their style is as uncompromising as it seems. So while you admire the Trumpy face on the front of the record, be sure to sip from the chalice of melody tinged Grind that lives within this band, that sounds frequently like a better version of older Punk.
Phobia - Lifeless God
30. Teethgrinder - Nihilism
I'm closing off this exhausting post with a newer Grind record that actually gives some shits about atmosphere within the brutality, unlike many other albums within this genre. So as a conclusion, I'm very optimistic about the future of this extreme metal thing. With bands and albums such as these, why wouldn't I be? So I hope I left you enough shit to listen to for the next damn month, you ever hungry extremeheads.
Teethgrinder - Nihilism
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