Album Review: Cerebral Rot - Excretion Of Mortality
Reviewed by CJ Claesson
The Metal Archives lists the lyrical themes of Cerebral Rot as follows; death, decomposition and feces. Truly the holy trinity of death metal. Lucky for us, the band did not stray from the rancid sewage swamp on their new release ‘Excretion Of Mortality’ and we can rejoice in maximum vile barbarism once again.
Having spewed out their first full-length ‘Odius Descent Into Decay’ in 2019, the Seattle death metal assault is now back with a record so excruciatingly filthy you’ll need a Hazmat suit just to press play. Looking back at their previous release, it’s clear from the very beginning that they have worked on refining the overall production on this record, without losing any of the underground sound. It still reeks of filth and just when you thought it couldn’t get nastier - Cerebral Rot turns up the treble and tunes down the guitars for apex meatiness. Not wasting anyone's time with gory soundbites, the band delivers a blood-stained package of raw death metal with clear ties to the old school. Already in the title track it’s evident that the band has no time for your brain to rot - but rather they’d prefer you to pulverize it instantly with forceful headbanging.
Death metal vocals have a long standing relationship with effects. One of the most heavily used in the arsenal is the torture chamber echo which early death metal pioneers such as Sweden’s Nihilist helped introduce to the genre. In line with the old school sound, and noticeable Scandinavian overall touch of Cerebral Rot, they also opted for a hefty layer of echo on top of Ian Schwab’s vocals for ultimate beastial effect. Either that, or they recorded the vocals in a massive bat infested cave - which wouldn’t surprise me. The effect together with the downtuned guitars and pummeling drums definitely adds to the ambiance of the record. Sure, it’s brutal death metal - but it’s not just a rampage chainsaw killing spree á la Cannibal Corpse. It’s more of an intense anguished solitude in the middle of a forest and you know there’s a manhunt about to commence. There will be no survivors.
To the untrained ear, this record might sound like “the rest of ‘em”. However, ‘Excretion Of Mortality’ is more than just downtuned death metal decadence. It’s a dynamic record which serves up a multitude of compelling twists and turns. Jeff Hanneman-esque guitar solo frenzies are interlinked with knuckle dragging downtempo stomps in ‘Vile Yolk of Contagion’, and ‘Retching Innards’ is a pure death metal assault. Not to forget the seven and a half minute rollercoaster of brutality ‘Drowned in Malodor’. You can drown me in that filth any day.
If your cerebral matter hasn’t rotted at this point - the band makes one final attempt with the modest eleven minute torture session ‘Crowning the Disgustulent (Breed of Repugnance)’. They definitely knew what they were doing when they decided to put this song last. Its haunting intro drags you to your final destination. The onslaught is carried out in gradual intensity and bursts into total chaos as time goes by, ultimately panning out in bludgeoning heaviness as the last strike hits the (drum)skin.
Cerebral Rot has managed to produce a vile display of malice with ‘Excretion Of Mortality’. Clocking in just over 47 minutes, it’s sure to eat away at your brain, one pitch bend, grunt and ride hit at a time.
‘Excretion Of Mortality’ out via 20 Buck Spin June 25th.
