French crew Temple of Worms hail from that bastion of all things death metal, that being – of course – um…Lyon. Still, while that region may not be best known for extreme metal, this is that band’s first full length album, with an EP, a split record and a single to their name before now.
The wormy ones, a four piece, play a kind of primitive death metal very much influenced by early Autopsy, some of the rougher parts of early Carcass and the thrash inflected death metal of bands like Massacre and Deceased. In terms of the music, there’s plenty of those sick riffs to be found on the likes of “Cystic Fibrosis” or “Gangrene”. IN fact, one thing that “Liber De Morbis” establishes very well is the atmosphere, which hangs like a sick miasma over the whole album.
Vocally, singer Crowdead has a distinct hoarse bellow which reminded me greatly of the early work of Dave Ingram from Benediction. Musically, there’s very little to quibble about – there’s some great deft drum work as with the beginning of “Septis”, and while the writhing bass work does really add to the unhinged sound produced, I do have to mention the production here. I don’t know if the production choice is deliberate, but it’s rough to the extent of sounding like an early demo tape. The ragged edges, while they do add a raw appeal, also detract from the sound. Drum work is drowned out by the over saturated cymbals, the buzzing of the guitar riffs bleed over the bass and make the whole thing a little muddier than I would have liked to have heard it. It all means that the material sounds drowned, and while this inevitably means that there is a more atmospheric approach than their more modern ultra-clean tech death peers, it sadly means that rather too much clarity is lost.
All of which is a shame, because I really dig what Temple of Worms are trying to do here. Sludgy, crackers death metal with an ear for an unsettling riff and filth-laden lyrical content. I just wish it was a bit clearer. As it is, I can say that I’m looking forward to the next Temple of Worms album, but even handicapped by the production as it is, this is still a fun listen.
(6.5/10 Chris Davison)
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