CORPSESSED Succumb to Rot CD Digipak

TCreepy orchestral soundscapes quickly descend into brooding riffs and crawling drums to open a cacophony of dread. The slow-moving yet ferocious zeal of the music is instantly recognisable as it is delivered in the truly horrific vein of their prior album “Impetus Of Death". The gnarly, maniacal death metal is pulverising while complemented by monolithic atmospherics that conjure dark apparitions of mysterious proportions. Grotesque, warped and eerie, the lumbering opening passages of the record truly deliver something magnificently dark. Drums storm with blistering precision kicking hatred into the sound while cymbals dance around the rhythmic charge. This is met by a complex array of malignant, pounding and sparse riffs topped by gruesomely churned out vocals. An utterly abhorrent and brutal sound to face. Falling upon us like a scornful rain of pure vitriol, the sepulchral stench of true death metal burns so strongly at the heart of their sound, it is unwavering. While the band are known for, and continues to use, a huge influence of doom in their sound (giving that gloomy Finnish sepulchre), this is definitely some of their most punishing and aggressive work to date. “Death-Stench Effluvium” is a perfect example of just how hostile and unforgiving this band is capable of being, truly a rancid and riveting piece of carnage. Contrasting this, it is followed by oddity and slow-moving Lovecraftian horrors on the aptly titled “Spiritual Malevolence”. This juxtaposition between 2 songs is a perfect microcosm of the well-ranged and diverse horrors that Corpsessed have to offer, while fitting triumphantly into the framework of the record. Utterly magnificent. The execution of the new album is superb. It’s short and direct without cutting corners and has this all-consuming production that ensures a pounding, relentless experience that reveals more secrets with each listen. There is a primitive urgency which while using some technical flare, is never obnoxious, all spearheading a vital section of the immersive atmosphere that will drown any whom dare lurk this crypts. Words like “sublime” and “profane” appear amongst the song titles and are an excellent indication of the albums latter half. A sprawling monstrosity in desperation that lurches from a behemoth of terror to a titan of animalistic malice. This is the most stripped back and vicious we have heard Corpsessed and it suits them wonderfully. Rather than a “best” or “not as good” album, we just get another important chapter in the story of one of the finest current death etal bands. Magnificent, malicious and morbid death metal from Finland. A punishing, totally consuming experience of dread and terror that is utterly bewildering in the best possible manner. A gorgeous and yet malformed contortion of pure evil. Written for www.nattskog.wordpress.com