Cannibal Corpse - The Wretched Spawn
2004 - Metal Blade Records
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Metal Blade Records website.
That time has come again - death metal's most succesful, long-lasting and consistent and act have released a new album. This means that all over the world, critics are alternatively sharpening their superlatives or preparing their 'it sounds exactly the same as all the other albums' invective, German authorities are about to ban another splendidly gruesome album cover, die-hard fans are counting their pennies and Metal Blade are sending the promotions department into paroxysms of over-worked stress.
So, with all this going on, the most important question is often not pondered over seriously - is the album any good? Well, I'll lay out my stall right here - Cannibal Corpse have always been one of those take-it-or-leave-it bands for me - I've enjoyed everything I've heard by them, but never been compelled to fanboy-worship of them. 'Hammer Smashed Face' could be used as the definitive death metal track, and 'Dormant Bodies Bursting' from last album 'Gore Obsessed' possibly has the catchiest chorus in the genre. But I'e just never been amazed by the band.
So it comes as something of a pleasure to relate that Cannibal Corpse have finally won me over completely with 'The Wretched Spawn'. Admittedly, Neil Kernon's somewhat dry production was a source of consternation for a minute or two, especially considering the thick, suffocating mix given to 'Gore Obsessed', but then the riffs kicked in, and I was hooked. 'Severed Head Stoning' rolls on like an out-of-control steamroller, flattening everything in its path, 'Decency Defied' starts off with riffs seemingly handed down directly from whatever deity governs death metal musicians, 'The Wretched Spawn' contains a heavy-as-fuck passage around the three minute mark with Corpsegrinder growling 'it...was...made...to...DIEEEEEE' over a chugging, monstrous riff.
The critics who say that each Cannibal Corpse album sounds the same are kind of missing the point - rather than wimping out for commercial success, dabbling with experimentational albums or generally messing up the formula, Cannibal Corpse have been gradually honing and perfecting their sound since the first album, and 'The Wretched Spawn' is the best representation yet of that sound. Take the sheer brutality of 'The Bleeding', the increased technicality of 'Gore Obsessed' and add to that the confidence that comes with being the most respected and successful purveyor of death metal ever, and this is the result.
Essential for death metal fans, and a worthy addition to CC's already impressive discography. I'm off to order copies of their older albums now...
9/10
2004 - Metal Blade Records
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Metal Blade Records website.
That time has come again - death metal's most succesful, long-lasting and consistent and act have released a new album. This means that all over the world, critics are alternatively sharpening their superlatives or preparing their 'it sounds exactly the same as all the other albums' invective, German authorities are about to ban another splendidly gruesome album cover, die-hard fans are counting their pennies and Metal Blade are sending the promotions department into paroxysms of over-worked stress.
So, with all this going on, the most important question is often not pondered over seriously - is the album any good? Well, I'll lay out my stall right here - Cannibal Corpse have always been one of those take-it-or-leave-it bands for me - I've enjoyed everything I've heard by them, but never been compelled to fanboy-worship of them. 'Hammer Smashed Face' could be used as the definitive death metal track, and 'Dormant Bodies Bursting' from last album 'Gore Obsessed' possibly has the catchiest chorus in the genre. But I'e just never been amazed by the band.
So it comes as something of a pleasure to relate that Cannibal Corpse have finally won me over completely with 'The Wretched Spawn'. Admittedly, Neil Kernon's somewhat dry production was a source of consternation for a minute or two, especially considering the thick, suffocating mix given to 'Gore Obsessed', but then the riffs kicked in, and I was hooked. 'Severed Head Stoning' rolls on like an out-of-control steamroller, flattening everything in its path, 'Decency Defied' starts off with riffs seemingly handed down directly from whatever deity governs death metal musicians, 'The Wretched Spawn' contains a heavy-as-fuck passage around the three minute mark with Corpsegrinder growling 'it...was...made...to...DIEEEEEE' over a chugging, monstrous riff.
The critics who say that each Cannibal Corpse album sounds the same are kind of missing the point - rather than wimping out for commercial success, dabbling with experimentational albums or generally messing up the formula, Cannibal Corpse have been gradually honing and perfecting their sound since the first album, and 'The Wretched Spawn' is the best representation yet of that sound. Take the sheer brutality of 'The Bleeding', the increased technicality of 'Gore Obsessed' and add to that the confidence that comes with being the most respected and successful purveyor of death metal ever, and this is the result.
Essential for death metal fans, and a worthy addition to CC's already impressive discography. I'm off to order copies of their older albums now...
9/10
