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Released on May 20, 2016 via Relapse Records
Good death metal need not be complex or technically-advanced. Death metal started out from the ashes of disparate sub-genres such as punk, thrash, and heavy metal. In fact, early death metal bands started out playing simple, but insanely heavy rhythms and wild squealing solos at the sub-genre’s inception. Bands like Morbid Angel took it a step further, with guitarists like Trey Azagthoth playing wild, more complicated lead guitar to expand death metal’s early roots. Playing sludgy death metal that is simple but pure is Relapse Records’ Gruesome. Their latest release entitled Dimensions of Horror is a catchy, up-tempo foray into old-school death metal a la Death and Autopsy, and this is further proof that death metal without gimmicks can prove to be just as entertaining these days.
Gruesome features members of Exhumed, Possessed, Malevolent Creation, and Derketa. This album is good for a closer comparison to early Death – Scream Bloody Gore-era Death to be precise. Their debut full-length album for Relapse Records entitled Savage Land, was released in 2015.
Clearly, this group of musicians, headed by Exhumed’s Matt Harvey on vocals, is intent on paying homage to death metal’s early roots, joining forces to please themselves first, being fans of this type of music. When musicians come together to play music as practicing devotees of the style, this band and their output so far show that the sky’s the limit.
Thrash-pace drumming mixes with some slower, groovier sections that feature some double-kick drums show up quite often here. The drums remind me of Autopsy’s style quite a bit. Gruesome doesn’t play doom/death in the Funerus style, preferring to mix mid-tempo beats with frequently utilized faster sections. The choruses are catchy; the riffs are fairly simple, and everything translates into a fun, stage-diving, headbanging good time.
Lead guitar fans will also enjoy the solos on Dimensions of Horror. Although clearly influenced by HP Lovecraft lyrically, it’s quite hard to tell what Matt Harvey is growling, which, to fans of good death metal means very little. The music here is fun to listen to, being well-written, well-crafted, and well-executed. Clearly, the band’s veteran ranks are inspired by this project. They’ve already played at many festivals thus far.
Though just an EP, the six tracks here are a tantalizing tribute to early Death that fans of the latter band will salivate over. No highlight track in particular sticks out like a festering boil on someone’s thumb. All good, all casual-listen worthy, Dimensions of Horror is another good release by this ensemble. If they’re playing live at your town, stop by and pick up some merchandise after spending time in a moshpit. You won’t be sorry!
