Corpsegrinder

Corpsegrinder

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ft. Erik Rutan.
Genre: Death Metal.
Released: 25/02/2022
Via Perseverance Media Group

Album Review: Corpsegrinder – Corpsegrinder

There probably isn’t a bigger name in the death metal scene than Cannibal Corpse, so it should come as no surprise that the excitement around the lead singer’s (Corpsegrinder) debut solo album is immense. Fans have been eager to get a taste of what he’s been working on and the wait is finally over. Here are my thoughts on Corpsegrinder’s Self Titled release.

The opening track ‘Acid Vat’ is a great introduction to what’s to come on this album. A mix of the old school death metal style Corpsegrinder is known for, being mixed with more blackened sounding riffs and chord progressions. This is the only song on the record to have a feature and Erik Rutan nails his part. He brings a wonderful synergy that compliments the harsh vocals on display. Following on from that is ‘Bottom Dweller’, an unsurprisingly heavy number that continues the onslaught. Beefy riffs matched by high-intensity drumming is always a winning combination when it comes to death metal.

‘On Wings Of Carnage’ brings a more beat down esc beat to the fray and its impactful beat will have metalheads around the world headbanging along to this beast of a song, while ‘All Souls Get Torn’ features intense blast beats and tremolo picking riffs. High energy is the order of the day when it comes to this record and ‘Death Is The Only Key’ continues that pattern. Opting for the more calculated approach to generating a heavy sound, the slower pace only seems to bring more oomph to the record. On the other hand ‘Crimson Proof’ captivates the listener with its straightforward yet effective progression.

Following on from that is ‘Devourer of Souls’ which really hits hard. The way the riffs fell into the percussion is so satisfying and the vocals once again bring so much character to the track in question. If it’s a memorable intro that you’re after then ‘Defined By Your Demise’ is the track for you. Cymbal mutes and squealing notes quickly turn into a dominant instrumental that will have any self-respecting death metal fan chomping at the bit for more.

As the record draws to a close, ‘Master Of The Longest Night’ delivers a masterful tune to the listener. It is by far my favourite song on the record, the song manages to capture the essence of old school death metal and merge it with a more modern feel. Corpsegrinder’s vocals will always be one of the best in the game but they just fit this track’s sound perfectly. If you’re only going to listen to one song of this album, make sure it’s this one. Finishing off the album is ‘Vaguely Human’ which picks the pace back up for one final assault. Syncopated rhythms mixed with fast-paced melodies make for an enjoyable listen and a pleasant end to the record.

Corpsegrinder has released one hell of an album here and I think it will appeal to more than just fans of Cannibal Corpse. This album feels a lot more personal and it’s clear that he has put his all into this project and I truly believe it has paid off. I highly recommend checking out this release when you get the chance.