Ah, RMR’s on the lamestream trip again. 2023 contains an impressive number of old ‘n’ rusty metal bands that are total n00bs on this here webzine. A selection of misfits outfits filled with old geezers forming part of – what is often called today – metal royalty. Bands that proudly stood at the source of it all, when all those genres started to mushroom into existence. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, by the way. The RMR will thus yet again set out into treacherous waters and bless another old band with a review of the present without regard to their past actions. They’re n00bs after all over here. Take that, you undead!
Death Metal seems to be the credo of 2023. But this here brand resembles none of its sometimes succulently excellent modern outreaches. Instead, you get Cannibal Corpse with Chaos Horrific and its gruff and somewhat unbendingly harsh offerings that reach us (more or less) straight from the late ’80s. And to their credit, they indeed delivered their share in the development of this holdall called Death Metal.
A band we dilligently ignored in the past, first because of an unbelievably stupid band name that might have been sexy in a sick kind of way back in the last century. You know, the time when all those zombie movies blossomed into existence. And second, because of the album art that tries to provoke folks with dull-witted brutality that’s way beyond the stereotypical Neanderthal metaphor. So, no doubt that the band and its ‘artwork’ got banned numerous times in a number of countries over time. And Corpsegrinder may call his musings and visual depictions works of art and musically enacted horror stories all day long. Because so did Hannibal the Cannibal once his gory work was done. Just sayin’.
Chaos Horrific delivers a merciless and somewhat overly dry monoblock of speedy Death Metal. Burly riffs, relentless drumming, and overly monotone growls that roll over you like an avalanche of putresence. And then, suddenly, Erik Rutan chimes in with a pretty stellar solo or two. It does break up the often tedious flatness of the metal that relentlessly roars down its path in search of some Death Metal nirvana. And there’s indeed nothing much to roughen up the steady flow of straight punches the record delivers.
Except, perhaps, Drain You Empty at the very end of the record. The band indeed delivered some hints at doom-death that suddenly appeared, followed by – yes – some attempt at measured rhythms, groove, and pummeling chugging. A rare commodity on Chaos Horrific‘s evenly spread Death Metal offering. Another short but memorable instance finds itself at the take-off of Overlords of Violence with the bass on full display. You’ll also find some slight excursions into tech death at certain points which will break up the often tedious flow of unbending DM ferocity.
And to the band’s credit, all of the above is expertly arranged with no sweaty hair out of place and sent our way with exuberant energy. On the downside, however, the whole delivery seriously suffers from some overly loud production.
In the end, Chaos Horrific didn’t quite live up to its name. There is expert musical prowess at work, no doubt about it. But the style of this here Death Metal piece already grew stale a while ago. And the band won’t change its overall direction after 16 full-length records. And why should they? The abundance of gruesome outrage still works for them just fine. And besides, fans of traditional Death Metal will find a lot to like on this disk and the RMR reviewers won’t be able to sway them any which way. Nor should we. But just by coldly looking at today’s panoply of offerings on display in the mighty world of Death Metal, Cannibal Corpse didn’t leave a significant imprint over here this time.
Ed’s note: Want to hear about all other infamous n00bs? Check out The List.
Record Rating: 4/10 | Label: Metal Blade Records | Web: Facebook (band)
Release Date: 22 September 2023