Cattle Decapitation
The Anthropocene Extinction
Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 7 August 2015
Review by Matt Bolton
Forget the Job for a Cowboy comparison, cos Cali’s own Cattle Decapitation is back with a ripper of an album where they create their own style with what I would describe as epic progressive deathgrind. Album opener Manufactured Extinct starts with an epic droning riff and when the death growls and blast beats kick in it’s time to get your grind on. Travis Ryan’s’ raspy vocals are a nice fit and I use the word raspy cos they aren’t exactly clean vocals. I am reminded of Scott Kelly’s vocal style with Neurosis, especially on album breather, Ave Exitium.
The guitar solos by Josh Elmore on the aforementioned opening track; as well as on Clandestine Ways (Krokodil Rot), and on my personal favourite Not Suitable For Life are all phenomenal. The catchiest vocals by Travis; “How can you look me in the eyes…,” have the tendency to stick in your head. A marching riff and steady beat come from an all-out thrashing by the demonic playing of David McGraw. The use of blast beats and evil riffs, delves nicely into black metal.
The frantic bass torturing of Derek Engemann will have you grooving along and head banging constantly. Looks like these lads have made their way into my Top 10 of 2015, alongside the godfathers of grind, Napalm Death. Surely an album to check out; if you thought their previous album, ‘Monolith’ couldn’t be topped, it just has.
