Meathook - Infernal Torture - 2008 - Sevared Records

This is a release I was really looking forward to picking up from Barrett because the song on their Myspace sounded a lot like Goretrade, which is one of my all time favorite bands. Upon listening to Infernal Torture all the way through, I can still hear that Goretrade influence, but the album does not quite reach the level of quality that Goretrade does.

Meathook's main method of attack utilizes soaring, almost epic riffs somewhat like Inveracity and the aforementioned Goretrade. Shades of CADM bands like Inherit Disease and Deeds of Flesh can also be heard. These are interspersed with some breakdowns and typical chunky death metal riffing. The drums and vocals are middling; they support the music fine but don't really add much.

Where Meathook really succeed is the blending of those epic riffs and breakdowns together. This happens about half the time. The other half of the time it ceases to feel like a song and just some riffs next to each other. I don't want to sound too negative here as there was a lot of stuff on this album I liked (the first song especially) but I also feel like there was a lot of potential that was not reached. It's almost like the guys in Meathook just stumbled upon this style and decided to whip up an album instead of really concentrating and making it the best they could (see either Goretrade album or Inveracity - Extermination of Millions to see how this style can be amazing).

You could certainly do worse, but I feel that with a few more years of playing and experience with this style under their belt, Meathook could be great.

Sufferatory - Pseudophilosophic MCD - 2008 - Sevared/Butchered Records

Starting off with a great sample setting the mood of obscure philosophy and esotericism, this monstrous EP blasts off with chunky riffs and pounding drums, eventually leading into a thrashy riff with a very Suffocation style. Patrick at Butchered Records told me that this was "like a Russian Suffocation", and I am bound to believe him after taking a few focused listens to this.

The lyrics are noteworthy which is odd for slam/brutal death metal, dealing with various themes of nihilism and philosophy. The sound sometimes reminds me of countrymen Emberland, though with a less snappy drum tone in general, and with more blurry and bassy riffs. Speaking of bass, this guy rules! Max rocks out on every track with extremely heavy, loud and catchy basslines which make this release a little more distinct. However, sometimes they can get a LITTLE out of hand, but it's usually not a problem.

The four tracks make up a total running time of 16 minutes, so there's just enough here to whet the listener's appetite, but also just enough to make you beg for more. Apparently these guys also had a full-length before this, but according to Barrett and Patrick it's not as well-produced, which is a shame. Very much looking forward to new material by these guys. The world needs more Suffocation-style slam with great musicianship and songwriting, so this is right on par! At S-M, we love Russian slam (Katalepsy review forthcoming), so from Nick and I...stay sick, motherland!

Interview with Gee of Human Mastication

Human Mastication is one of the big upcoming bands from the Philippines, and we're glad to have them on board for a lighthearted yet genuine interview!

How has the Filipino fanbase responded to the sudden growth of the scene there?

First of all i would like to thank you guys for this interview and for your support in Human Mastication. Well, brutal death metal scene here is really growing and we are damn happy to see people who support us in many ways

What's your favorite band from around your area?

Erectile Dysfunction, Internal Torture, Pus Vomit, Gential Warts, Aktarma Suicide, Fetal Mutilation, Down From The Wound and Lamaw...

Can you explain how you put together the split with Flesh Disgorged? Where from/how did you guys know each other?

Arif and I made contact in myspace first, then after a few months we planned to make a split release. and we are thankful that both bands agreed to make it possible.

We understand you guys are busy this year, releasing your first full-length CD and even a 7" on Self-Digested. Very exciting; any plans for the next few years yet?

Yes, we have an upcoming full length CD on Sevared Records. Hopefully, this will be released by the month of September '08. We are also waiting for a 7" ep on Self-Digested Records. Anyway, we didnt' make any plans yet for the following years..

Any possibility of shows in America?

We would really love to play in US. It's one of our dreams hehe.. if we'll catch up with some invitations for a US tour, why not right? hehe

Do you think there are any difficulties you face being from a country which is far away from most labels?

i dont think so.. Internet helped us a lot. hehe

If you could play a show with any band(s) who would it be?

Backstreet Boys and Nsync. hahaha

How do you go about writing your songs? Is there a special process you use?

I make up the lyrics, Jay and Siloy do the riffs and Kano does some drum patterns. ALL of us have contributed ideas whilst arranging stuff for our compositions.

Do you center a lot of your songs around the slam breakdown, or are those put in later?

Nope it depends on what's the best part for us. We use the slam/breakdowns in each of our song.

Any more splits coming out with other sick and brutal bands?

We have no upcoming splits at the moment.

How does it feel to know that your country, not usually known for slam, is getting pretty big in the international underground brutal scene right now?

We're so glad that the scene here is getting stronger! with a lot of new bands and supporters.

What bands influence you guys and how? Any bands you look for who do something specific you use in your writing?

We have tons of influences and most of them are US Death Metal bands.

Do you think that where a band is from geographically influences how they sound?

I dont think so. for me, it depends on the band on what style they want. Mostly here in asia are influenced by US death metal bands while the rest have their own unique styles.

Where do you see this scene in 5 years? 10? 15? Do you guys plan to stay around for a long time to unleash your fucking brutal sickness upon the world?

I really wanna hold on with the band longer but if i need to quit, well no choice i will. As time passes by, life keeps on changing and sometimes we really have to put first things first.

Your guttural vocal style is definitely influenced by Matti Way of the mighty Disgorge and Ruben Rosas of Devourment, but you do have your own style. Do you do anything different live?

Hahaha. Thanks for the cumpliment. Many people who see us playing live say that my vocals are pretty heavier in live than with our recordings and i think its true. Hahahaha!

Name some bands you're currently obsessed with:

im currently listening to these bands/albums:
*Abominable Putridity - In The End Of Human Existence
*Waking The Cadaver - Perverse Recollections Of A Necromangler.
*Flesh Consumed - Mutilate, Eviscerate, Decapitate.
*Putrefied - Gore-ific
*Pathology - Incisions Of Perverse Debauchery.

Any new merch/shirts/etc. out soon you want people to know about? Shout-outs?

Gee- We have some tshirt designs available. Just visit our myspace page for orders... http://myspace.com/humanmastication. We also have an upcoming full length CD on Sevared Records. will be out this september'08 hopefully! Thanks again for this intie. A cool interview bros! All the best with Slam-Minded! cheers... =)

Various News Items

MDF was great for us investigative journalists. We got to talk to the actual people behind the bands and labels. Here's what we found out.

New Amputated Genitals album coming out in September (YES!). We got this directly from Dan who is in the band and runs Gore and Blood Records.

The Blasphemer full length should be out this Fall on Comatose. Steve of Comatose told us that they were having drummer problems, but they seem to have been solved at this point. Blasphemer are a somewhat techy brutal death band from Italy. Very good stuff which I have been looking forward to for a while now. However, if you do want something by Blasphemer, you can check out the "Da Vinci Death Code" 4-way split which also features Septycal Gorge, Modus Delicti and Onirik.

Barrett told us that the Blaze Inside's full length has been delayed but should be out soon. Blaze Inside are grindy/crazy Colombian brutal death. See out recent review of Sevared's 08 Comp.

Also, here are a few things not learned at MDF, but newsworthy regardless.

Abominable Putridity have signed a multi-album deal with Brutal Bands. BB is rereleasing In the End of Human Existence and putting out one more album, which is expected to come out in 2009.

Human Mincer have also signed to Brutal Bands and are releasing an album this year. Human Mincer are brutal death from Spain and feature Phlegeton of Wormed on vocals.

Kraanium pre-orders are now up from Pathologically Explicit. Kraanium are a pretty good slam band from Norway(!).

Maryland Deathfest 08

We just got back from MDF and it was amazing. I'm sure Andy, like me, is completely exhausted right now, but over the next few days we will post news, reviews, pictures and commentary on the whole thing. Until then I'll leave you with this picture of Dying Fetus.