Gurgling up from the underground like an acrid geyser comes Odious Descent Into Decay, the debut from Seattle death dealers Cerebral Rot, and the latest release from the venerable label 20 Buck Spin.
Cerebral Rot worship at the altar of Finnish death metal. Their style is reminiscent of classic Finnish acts like Convulse, as well as modern revivalists such as Innumerable Forms. It's an arcane form of the genre, but Cerebral Rot perform it adeptly, perfectly articulating the pummelling heaviness that is essential to the sound.
The vocals on Odious are guttural and bathed in echo, like they're bubbling up from the bottom of a toxic bog. The guitars, bass and drums likewise thrive in lower registers. What sets this album apart from others, though, are the seismic hooks Cerebral Rot lays down. Amidst the bludgeoning assault of bass frequencies are inexorable grooves, such as those heard on "Swamped In Festering Excrementia" and "Repulsive Infestation of Cadaver."
Cerebral Rot keep things interesting by switching up the tempo throughout the album. Songs like "Sardonic Repentance" and "Odious Descent Into Decay" lumber around with doomy passages, while the likes of "Putrefaction (Eternal Decay)" chew you up like a blood-soaked buzzsaw. The album also begins and ends with eerie acoustic passages, providing a satisfying sense of closure to the whole experience.
Odious is more than just a collection of death metal cuts with gross-out lyrics. The emphasis Cerebral Rot placed on memorable riffs, contrasting tempos and overall feel of the album gives it serious weight. This is one you will come back to again and again.
(20 Buck Spin)Cerebral Rot worship at the altar of Finnish death metal. Their style is reminiscent of classic Finnish acts like Convulse, as well as modern revivalists such as Innumerable Forms. It's an arcane form of the genre, but Cerebral Rot perform it adeptly, perfectly articulating the pummelling heaviness that is essential to the sound.
The vocals on Odious are guttural and bathed in echo, like they're bubbling up from the bottom of a toxic bog. The guitars, bass and drums likewise thrive in lower registers. What sets this album apart from others, though, are the seismic hooks Cerebral Rot lays down. Amidst the bludgeoning assault of bass frequencies are inexorable grooves, such as those heard on "Swamped In Festering Excrementia" and "Repulsive Infestation of Cadaver."
Cerebral Rot keep things interesting by switching up the tempo throughout the album. Songs like "Sardonic Repentance" and "Odious Descent Into Decay" lumber around with doomy passages, while the likes of "Putrefaction (Eternal Decay)" chew you up like a blood-soaked buzzsaw. The album also begins and ends with eerie acoustic passages, providing a satisfying sense of closure to the whole experience.
Odious is more than just a collection of death metal cuts with gross-out lyrics. The emphasis Cerebral Rot placed on memorable riffs, contrasting tempos and overall feel of the album gives it serious weight. This is one you will come back to again and again.
