The one man band image from the past is usually that of a oafish, disheveled man with a bass drum on his back and various instruments strapped to his body. These days you get a leather clad metalhead crouching in front of a tombstone. So, yeah the times have changed.

Funereality is a singular operation fronted by Gusten “Joachim” Andlos, playing a sort of by-the-numbers Gothenburg inspired Death Metal, that works out pretty well, for the most part. These songs have been compiled from three previous demos (Funeral for a Fuck, Leeches and Death Wish), so they have that sort of raw, I don’t know.. Demo sound. But it works because it lends a griminess and almost Necrohell studios feel, which isn’t far fetched at all considering that this sounds like it was recorded in a bedroom studio or a basement. I’m guessing a basement.

The songwriting is pretty good, despite the mostly clichéd subject matter, and the good thing is that there are a few tempo changes that keep things interesting. Still, that intro for “Funeral For a Fuck“? Necrophagia has done that to death, although the rest of the song rages on like nobody’s business. As does “Master of the Foul Arts“, where the spirit of Nihilist and Carnage can be heard, especially in the mid tempo breakdown near the end of the song, before going back to the speedy conclusion.

If there is one thing that doing reviews has taught me, it’s that sometimes even the worst quality recording can house some good quality jams. This is how I have to look at Bloodsucking Freak. Because of the lack of spit and polish this is an ugly album. But maybe that’s what was intended from the get go, just do some ugly Swedish Death Metal and call it a day. Either way, I ended up liking it. Like one of those Chinese Crested dogs, ugly as sin but lovable.

[Visit the band's website]

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