Album Review: Slimelord - Chytridiomycosis Relinquished
Reviewed by Sam Jones
Amongst the depths of the UK, Slimelord have been a growing force within extreme metal and are now poised to finally release their first album: Chytridiomycosis Relinquished. Formed in 2019 out of Leeds, United Kingdom, the band’s first offering of death/doom was found in their first EP, The Delta Death Sirens, which was soon followed up two years later with 2021’s Moss Contamination, then likewise again with 2022’s Insurmountable Peril. But, at last, Slimelord are ready to unleash their debut full length upon the masses, and what an achievement it already is to be signed on to 20 Buck Spin too. Looking up the name of their album, Chytridiomycosis refers to an amphibian disease brought on by the fungus Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis, resulting in the decline and even extinction of hundreds of frog species and various amphibians. Sporting artwork by the famed Brad Moore whose repertoire of associated acts include Krotchripper, Coffin Mulch, Gatecreeper, Sedimentum and more, and knowing the viral origins of their debut album now, it gives us a strong idea what might be to come, so let’s throw ourselves head first into this metabolic nightmare and see what Slimelord have ready for us come the record’s release date of March 8th.
It doesn’t take long for Slimelord to establish their ambience. The band have become renowned for crafting dark and decrepit soundscapes within their songwriting, but this is easily the most depraved their sound has ever been as they quickly instil the notion that something is deeply wrong. It’s not a blatant feeling of horror, nor is it one that slowly creeps up on you as the record proceeds; Slimelord effectively open our eyes where we’ve been dropped into this obscure location with no reference points, no means of defence and, seemingly, with no visible threat. But the band’s sound hints that something is seriously wrong with our scenario and we need to get out as soon as possible; not many death metal acts have wandered down this route of harrowing, creepy ambience in such a manner as Slimelord have. While we recognise the band are evidently throwing great swathes of power at us, their soundscape is undeniably elusive as you can’t put your finger down on it and say “Yes this is absolutely revolting” or “frightening” or “suffocating” because Chytridiomycosis Relinquished isn’t vying for obvious terms by which the audience is familiar with.
Slimelord’s material can be described as being in bed amongst old school death metal yet the band have injected more than enough of their own songwriting and identity into their music for people to easily imagine Slimelord apart from even the slew of modern death metal acts. The band are capable of utterly devastating your face and psyche, especially as they enter their most primal and punishing segments yet, I found their most effective riffs and pieces throughout the record were achieved while they’re either entering or leaving these more bombastic sequences. The band may be gearing up for a huge explosion of energy and, all the while, there’s a peculiar riff segment occurring that sees our expectations go haywire only for the band to bring us back to earth with an utterly crushing wave of strength. You also have these weird hammer-ons occurring throughout “The Beckoning Bell” which really amped up the band’s unnerving horror, just as Slimelord depart from the heaviest section of the track. It’s soon made clear the band aren’t going to hit you at all the predicted moments and you need to be on your guard at every instance.
As has probably been established, Slimelord’s ferocity isn’t all-consuming. This is not a totally destructive album, you’re not going to be pinned against a wall from start to finish. You’re given the freedom to breathe, but the power is utterly in Slimelord’s court as when they want the intensity to climb it does so at such an incline it really takes you aback. That was my feeling when the drumming, taut and crisp, mixed well together and balanced well against the vocals and riffs, goes from nought to a hundred in half a second. Holding back the desire for incessant blast beats has rendered them a more vicious bite so when that intensity does climb you feel the heightened onslaught the band bring. The bass drums are absolutely massive herein, whereby they’re often accompanied by the band’s signature, inverted form of riff playing or soloing I’ve seen myself first hand. What I must give credit for, is their drummer has a fantastic understanding of pacing. He always seems to know what pattern or tempo needs to be applied to a given moment so an ending sequence in “Gut Brain Axis” doesn’t just feel malevolent, but also hits you with a horrifying certainty of death.
Alongside the fat basslines this record throws up, the vocals do a stellar job at showing just how vast this album’s space really is. This isn’t some confined beast that’s been granted limited room to work in; this record has seen its four walls pushed out to the furthest extremes and then gets to work filling out that space as best it can. Frontman Andy Ashworth’s vocals are monstrous as he not only manages to thrust his voice to the very depths, but the projection by which he performs with is far-reaching and, should he be at the very back of the record, it’s a guarantee he’ll not only be audible, he’ll be amongst the prominent forces on the album. His delivery is half that reason; he’s not aiming for some gruff and coarse performance that’s spluttered out. It’s a methodically controlled and precise delivery where every syllable he’s uttering feels intentionally planned for its inclusion wherever you find it on record. There’s little chance of discerning a word said here but the immersion his vocals provide is excellent as it perfectly ties into the band’s noxious, algae-infested soundscape. Yet, even as we’re pummelled this way and that, Slimelord still ensured the bass could be easily heard. There were numerous points I could not only hear the bass play, but the bass was clearly given specific places to shine as an individual element. It is a fabulously well mixed album.
In conclusion, Slimelord have raised the bar for debut albums. It is practically unfair for new bands in the UK, looking to play death metal, looking to release their first album in 2024, when Slimelord are set to release Chytridiomycosis Relinquished. This is, simply put, a masterpiece. The band effortlessly keep you enthralled and engaged when every track within can be six to eight minutes in length, where every track feels unique to the next, where every track feels like an utter trip, and not once do the band wane in their energy, in their direction, in their songwriting. There’s always another avenue they can go down, another twist they can throw upon their songwriting that not only suits the song they’re playing but takes it into new and harrowing regions. As mentioned prior, this is an unnerving record because you won’t know precisely how to feel at the beginning; the band perfectly set you up so you’re completely enveloped by their assault. 20 Buck Spin could not be a more appropriate record label for Slimelord to sign on with; the band’s songwriting, ambience is ideal for the label’s grandiose reputation and, with this record, they’re about to share in the praise Slimelord will doubtlessly receive. I’m absolutely floored by this record; it holds nothing back and yet, it is absolutely removed from the majority of modern death metal we’re familiar with today. Slimelord are in a league of their own, with potentially the greatest debut in UK death metal in years, a landmark release for 2024, and if this is merely a taster of what’s to come then this is one act that needs to be ardently observed. It’s an Album Of The Year contender. Easily.
