Another promising act relinquishes its potential to the roar of the crowd. Laceration released one of the more note-worthy albums of 2021 with their debut, Demise, taking the deft, speed-metal influenced rhythms of early death metal and placing them within the context of a dark ambiance reminiscent of Demigod.
I Erode, however, foregoes the powerful tremolo riffing of the debut for something more akin to the bouncy, rhythmic bashing of Cannibal Corpse and the shuddering percussive chromatic runs of deathcore. The otherwordly energy is lost and is replaced by a product closely resembling the modern stereotype of “metal”: choppy rhythms, distorted vocals, and radicalized bluesy guitar solos.
Atmosphere thus takes a back seat to what will make your average crowd, on first glance, approve. Extensive touring followed the release of the debut, so perhaps the desire for show-friendly material predominated when composing this album.
Tags: death metal, laceration
There has never been another “Effigy of the Forgotten”, crazy 11/10 album.
This rings true.
The drums butchering Effigy and aiding its abrupt direction changes and progressions is largely what made it a masterpiece. Best Drums Ever IMO, together with INRI & Symphonies O.S.
Hobbs’ bizarre alien riffs too, like the whole thing transcends the concept of music.
It reminds me of a simplified Immolation “Unholy Cults”.
LAY DOWN YOUR SOUL TO THE GODS ROCK AND ROLL
Their debut somehow missed the “Best Metal of 2021” list, and I think I like it a bit more than this one, though it’ll take several more spins to decide. So far after the Flu: Kaeck II, Desecresy, who, for my tastes, have reached a first apex with their last 3 records, Rotheads, Ravenous Death, and perhaps these guys, whose cleaner vocal EPs are also ripping, they’re keepers.
There’s very little happening on the debut beyond the shiny solos and generally old-school vocals and production. People comparing it left and right to Suffocation have no clue about what made Suffocation great. Grooving death metal certainly ain’t it.
The artwork is reminiscent of Dan Seagrave works.