You become numb to long band names after a while. It’s just part of being a Goregrind/ BDM/ Gorenoise etc fan. I’d like to think that such names have actually improved my reading and vocabulary skills though. So, there you go kids, get into hideously depraved music and you’ll soon be like a walking medical encyclopaedia, who knows you might even become a doctor. There is a point though where the brain just switches off and ceases to be bothered to recall such names, this sickness is known as copyandpastectomy.
The subject of this today are Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy who’s name I’ve only typed out once since knowing of them. The band sprung up in 2019 and released a well-received EP the following year entitled Adoration Of Decaying Innocence. This Canadian duo have a penchant for Guro and Anime themes, up until recently I’ve very much been (unfairly) unfavoured by such ideas. I think I almost saw it as a dilution of more traditional gore imagery. However, I have to say I’ve been captivated by the bulging Guro Death Metal scene of late and The Rotted Plinth Of Sachiel from Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy seems as good a place as any to start proper.
Demon roars encircle the listener as the intro title track begins. Then in come the vocals, they sound like the unclogging of a drain. The drum blast is so low that its ear shattering and the guitars follow suit to create a thick sludgy base. This is the kind of Slam that stands out from the crowd, the band definitely have their own sound. These traits carry through to Facial Gutting which sees the speed amped up to show that these guys are about extremity on all levels. The vocals also get a touch cricket-like too, showing yet more variation. Keeping up the speed is Flayed Tellurian Husk, I honestly cannot explain how all out extreme this is. Sure, Gorenoise is a savage genre but it’s not something you can really call ‘music’, this however is straight up BDM pushed to the limit, Brutal, Brutal Death Metal if you will.
Crossing the bar of the album is Fervid Genital Skinning, every bit as nasty as it sounds, that snare tone is so perfect and overall the drums in general are a total force to be reckoned with. I’ve not experienced this joy in BDM drumming since Malodorous’ Amaranthine Redolence, excellent stuff. So, what is bad about this album, well it could perhaps be a touch more on the Slam side, I think that would really work in the bands favour. Sure, it has its moments but mostly it’s blistering speed and ferocity, if that’s your jam from BDM though you’ll love it. Luckily Profane Psalms Carved Into The Palms Of God brings about some chunky Slam influence, it’s a really strong end to the record, I only wish these traits were used more often.
So there we have it, if you’re put off by Anime imagery and see it as childish or lame then forget all of that, get some of this in your ears. It’s a strong debut with both pros and cons, but it has to be said mostly pros. All in all I’m very interested to see what the band do next, I actually hope they run with the Guro ideals and promote this scene further. Within Destruction might be waving the Anime banner but they aren’t as barbaric as Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (yes I copy and pasted this).
(8/10 George Caley)
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