I like my Death Metal naughty, full of gore and pulled straight from an 80s video nasty. I mean that’s not strictly true I am a big fan of Tech and Prog Death too. For the most part though I do love the violence! I got into Death Metal through the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy and Carcass the latter being a big influence on my tastes, particularly Reek Of Putrefaction. You can’t live in the past forever though, but you can bring the past to a new generation as our study for today concludes.

That study is of the underground Swedish Death Metal grave desecraters Repuked! Having formed in 2007 the band have worked their way up the ranks releasing a debut full length titled Pevertopia in 2011 and a second record in 2013 called Up From The Sewers. Great titles I’m sure you’ll agree and a great branding of Repuked’s sound. Sadly, the band have flown under the radar of many but will their new 2020 record change all that? Entitled Dawn Of Reintoxication the album comes to us through Soulseller Records.

The creepy melodic riffs of Livers Bleed opens the gates of gore on this blood drenched full length. The slow zombie-like crawl of guitars and drums pave the way for grizzled re-animated vocal twists. Soon enough the sulking hulk returns to life and forms into a speed induced vile audible assault. There is a definite Autopsy feel to the next song Fucking Your Fucking Corpse (best song title I’ve heard in years). I dig this sort of dirty Death Metal with its thick riffs and lack of care for anything polished. Giving off more hook heavy vibes is the awesome Kick Fuck a snappy little crusher that’s sure to get your fist pumping and headbanging, the kind of tune that will have you lusting after the live gig experience. Not every track is a complete stand out but even those that could be considered not quite so good are still growers with a lot of punch, much like Retribution From Behind.

We get into the next meaty slab with the title track which is a synth based interlude rooted in 80s Horror and Slasher fare. I’m super behind this addition and it really adds to the retro gore hound edge of the release. Fear not though it’s straight back in for the kill with both Vodka Til The Grave and Repulsive Erected And Anally Infected, which proves to be a further ear worming nightmare for beyond the grave. Truth be told this second side is full of juicy numbers including Sewer Rain and Excursion Through Perversity. Even the climactic Morbid Obsessions fits, I was sceptical of a nine minute closure for an album like this but Repuked pull it off. The dissonant ending only adds to the structured themes of this release.

Dawn Of Reintoxication is a few things, firstly it’s totally twisted Death Metal. The like that is sure to even put off some so called fans of the genre. Yet for those who can’t get enough of the blood-soaked hell of Death Metal’s early years it’s a sure fire win. Much like watching Cannibal Holocaust for the first time this is an album that is sure to shock and disgust, in all the right ways of course. This is an exercise in not just brilliant songwriting but in album structure also, it hits all the right notes. Like the fleshy mask of Leatherface it fits together like a perfect yet deformed puzzle.

(8/10 George Caley)

https://www.facebook.com/Repuked

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dawn-of-reintoxication