One of the most fascinating aspects of human beings is how they progress as they grow. Some would believe that growth equals regression rather than progression and that is certainly a fact in some instances. When it comes to the development of a group of musicians, particularly one within the confines of a genre such as brutal death metal, one would think that there is limited room for them to explore. However, many of the genres’ greats as well as its acolytes have proved through its 30+ year tenure that this is not always the case, and this is proven yet again with Russia’s Cephalic Impurity.

Their germination was rapid; beginning under the moniker of Infected Guts, front man Ivan had a simple approach; pile up as much downtuned riffing with as much gurgling guttural madness as possible and forgo structure, intricacy and musicianship. Such elements were an afterthought during the early stages of the project. Regrouping under a new banner saw not only a refinement of aesthetics but also of approach and with their second album for Soulflesh Collector this Russian unit have created an interesting mesh of fluid death metal and grind that’s not as obvious as it easily could have been.

Rather than slam you into oblivion ala their Russian and Soviet state brethren (see Abominable Putridity, Katalepsy, Aborted Fetus, Fecal Decay and the quite frankly ridiculous Ezophagothomia), Cephalic Impurity prefer to dissect and slice your grey matter in a plethora of ways. Thus, there is a parallel again with that of their label brethren, namely Leptotrichia, as this album has a cold, clinical, merciless feel to it. What’s more, the expanded personnel have bought a deeper pool of influences to the table. Rather than just relying on Devourment, there is a healthy nod to Cryptopsy, Dying Fetus, Internal Bleeding and Soils of Fate, as well as a healthy dosage of grind.

The influence of the legendary Canucks is prevalent in the tempos and structures, and whilst Cephalic Impurity are definitely not yet at the level Cryptopsy were at the likes of Whisper Supremacy, they shred impressively, zipping through plenty of riffs and passages in each track’s short running time. ‘Discordant Path,’ begins furiously, blasting relentlessly, churning through riffs tenaciously but as stressed, no real slam comes to typecast the band into the whole current slam/groove movement that is rife worldwide.

They aren’t afraid to throw in a groove though as both ‘Gruesome Splendour,’ and ‘Taxidermic Insanity,’ show. Both pieces thrive in their mix of impressive technicality but then drop in some impressive Dying Fetus inspired pile-driving grooves that firmly obliterate your speakers. To show that the times are a changing, the band rerecorded one of their earlier numbers ‘S.I.C.K,’ face-lifting it to fit with their new approach and also trimming the running time, which, although is only thirty seconds is significant in the piece’s reincarnation.

Another impressive release then by this growing Russian label and Cephalic Impurity are definitely another interesting prospect to keep tabs on.

[Visit the band's website]

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