Norwegian duo Gouge have been kicking out some proper grimy death metal since 2011 but this is only their second release (after 2012’s ‘Doomed To Death’ EP). You’d never know it though because this lot sound so confident and assured you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d been hammering out their filthy death metal for years.
This is really good shit, quite punky in parts – only two of the twelve tracks are over three minutes – with a murky, dense production that won’t be gracing the next Megadeth record but here it really suits the material here down to a tee. And what belting material it is! The Autopsy & Repulsion influences are right there smashing you in the face with a rotting, maggoty fist. Herman Holen’s drumming has a very ‘Reifert’ feel to it and the frantic guitar work of Christoffer Bråthen is spot on, as are his puss gargling vocals.
But this is no mere retro revivalist act, these boys from Kolbotn have made a record that takes the best bits of both bands and blends them together with a hint of Venom making a really catchy, memorable and fun listen. This is definitely death metal to drink beer and bang your head to! Not scratch your beard and nod thoughtfully at the intricate time changes, complex lead work and…. well….. all that boring shit. No! This is riff oriented, gory, stinky, no frills death metal (check out ‘Devils Debt’ – banging!) and all the better for it. In fact to quote the promo blurb it’s ‘gross and gutsfucking’…now come on, who doesn’t want a bit of that??
Well I certainly do, so do what I did, order the particularly tasty red splatter vinyl LP. You won’t be disappointed.
(9/10 Mark Eve)
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