The story of the Grotesque Impalement EP is an interesting one, as it was actually self-released (on the band’s own Blunt Force Records) in 1999 as a “holdover” album between Killing on Adrenaline and Destroy the Opposition. Relapse has now reissued the EP with a new package, a remastering job, liner notes from Jason Netherton, and several bonus tracks.

As Netherton explains in the liner notes, Dying Fetus had decided to return to their roots for this one. As such, they re-recorded two demo tracks from olden times (1992), the title track and “Tearing inside the Womb,” both of which sound similar to the material on albums like Purification through Violence and to some extent Killing on Adrenaline; both feature that distinct Dying Fetus grinding groove with splashes of technicality. The cover of hardcore act Next Step Up’s “Bringing Back the Glory” ends up sounding more like traditional USDM, albeit within the Dying Fetus framework. The cover of Baphomet’s “Streaks of Blood” fits well, while still offering something a little different for the band. On the comical side, the group also includes a John Gallagher and Jason Netherton audio reenactment of the intro to 1984 Grim Reaper cut “Final Scream” (both are fans of the 80’s act). Re-titled “Final Scream (Prelude to Evil: Davey’s Nightmare),” the gruff vocal of the father and the high-pitched girly voice of the 26 year old son makes for some goofy fun. The original collection of songs rounds out with the absolutely hilarious, 80s hair metal piss take on black metal that is “Hail Mighty North/Forest Trolls of Satan (Anno Clitoris 666 Opus II).”

Three bonus tracks are included on the Relapse reissue. “Reduced to Slavery” is a previously unreleased track from 2000 that is fairly representative of the death-grinding groove for which Dying Fetus is known. A special treat is “Dumpster Love,” a new recording is a comically stylistic, Fetus-formed version of 80s hair metal, complete with spoken parts that are funny as hell. I’m grinning wide just thinking about the damn thing. The third bonus cut is a decent 1999 live version of “Purged of my Worldly Being,” which originally appeared on the 1994 Infatuation with Malevolence demo.

Of the four Dying Fetus Relapse issues (the others being Purification through Violence, Killing on Adrenaline, and Infatuation with Malevolence ), Grotesque Impalement works more for its entertainment value than compelling musicality, the demo re-recordings and the previously unreleased track notwithstanding. That in no way makes it any less worthy of your hard earned dollars and is just as important as the other three in the sense of historical relevance. Netherton’s succinct liner notes again add significant value. Another easy recommendation for Dying Fetus fans.

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