Metal is kind of funny in the sense that everything is labelled as ‘essential’ or ‘ground-breaking’ or ‘a masterpiece’. “Have you ever heard this 90s Black Metal demo that only three people have heard? It’s essential listening!”. The truth of the matter is a lot of these terms get bandied about like they’re nothing, I’m guilty of it myself, especially when it comes to 00s Brutal Death Metal. Speaking the hard truths though if you’re looking to get into Death Metal then perhaps start with Death, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel and Entombed. I’m not saying that nothing else matters but come on anything else is a bonus really.
One album that is often lumped into the underground essential bracket is 1993’s Internal Caustic Torment by Wombbath. This album kills and has stood the test of time for the most part, although I’m sad to say that I think the band have lived off of its legacy. Breaking up and reforming numerous times Sweden’s Wombbath wouldn’t release another full length until the 2015 album Downfall Rising, I can’t say that this or any of their other later albums have registered on my radar. However, 2020 sees a new and often worrying feat for this day and age, two albums in the same year. First up we had Choirs Of The Fallen but now we enter Tales Of Madness put out through Transcending Obscurity Records.
The opening track Tales From The Dark Side is naturally a very SweDeath opener, ultra-crunchy riffs and awesome guttural vocals make this a pleasure for existing fans. However, I have to say, is the guitar tone too distorted and crunchy? I love this sound but really, it’s so deep that it becomes a little atonal. Continuing in a similar direction is the following Brutal Mights and Unholy Madness. Generally, I think I just have an issue with the production of this release. The drums have a bit of a nasty ping and not the sort that one finds in Slam, this with the ultra-low guitars to me doesn’t work particularly well and doesn’t aid in the memorability of the release. Honestly this first half is just a little bit bland.
Into the second half we get the melodic introduction of Lavatory Suicide Remains which actually injects some memorability into the album. The Death Metal within the song itself is also a little more interesting, the riffs are far better utilised, this is what one would expect from a band such as Wombbath. The intrigue upholds into Save Your Last Breath To Scream but as we get to the title track the album slips back into standard SweDeath save for a nice little solo that is a welcome addition. However, I really can’t say that a single element is jaw dropping. The album closes with The Fleshy Existence Of Man, which is really standard except for a super weird ethereal portion that is totally out of place and quite frankly not good.
Overall, highly underwhelming. Like a mother who has just found out their teenager is smoking I’m not angry, just disappointed. Really Wombbath could and can do so much better than this. Again, it could simply be the result of too many good Death Metal records this year that’s skewing my vision. Don’t get me wrong the album has its moments, but for the most part it’s tried and tested themes and riffs. Truly on reflection I would struggle to pick out much in the way of memorability save for Lavatory Suicide Remains. That song is an example of how good Wombbath are, the rest of the album not so much.
(5/10 George Caley)
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