I see there is yet another upcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre film imminent. Talk about getting as much blood out of a franchise as possible. Here (and there is a tenuous link), we move from the killing fields of rural Texas to that of New Jersey where this grisly quintet reside. Described as playing the “foulest HM-2 vehemence” and “a brand of vile chainsaw-violence” this could well be old Leatherface’s new soundtrack as he works on his victims in the deep, dark killing room of his subterranean basement. This is foul and filthy stuff, make no mistake and even the sickening samples that are dotted around the music offer little in the way of respite.
With track titles like ‘Purified Rot’ and ‘Gastrointestinal Industrial Complex’ you know you are in for a harrowing ride here even if the music is over in a short and shocking 27 minutes. Lurching grooves, battering drums and bruising bass fly in a torrent, the production is solid and has a thunking mindset about it as it winds and grinds away without a shred of mercy. Vocals are at the back a little growling venomously like a pig being butchered and occasionally vomiting up their bile in a torrent of chunks. Occasional doomy forays break up the assault and anything resembling a harmony is buried in a grimy layer of murk. It’s not expertly played, it’s not anything we have not heard before but it’s an autopsy of the senses that festers and rots ‘Ululating in the Depths’ of its primordial bashing. The HM-2 chug is of course prevalent and never runs out of gas as it tears, chops and dismembers with relish.
‘Wrath March’ has a bilious punky crust about it and there’s some squealing riffs as it stomps in leaden boots on its victims. Despite the contemptuous carnage it would appear this lot have vegan sensibilities among other things so it’s human jerky only as far as their murderous mutilation rites are concerned. By the time we arrive at closer ‘Pig Hunter’ it’s a bit of a relief that this boar has not had time to bore and having gnawed on its rancid meat and offal it leaves one needing a shower to wash its taste away. Ugh!
(7/10 Pete Woods)
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