I have reviewed and covered metal from all from all four corners of the earth, especially from South America, but I think this is the first album I have covered from Peru. And everything about the release screams generic; from the band name, album name and ‘shocking’ artwork. But this second effort from the band is actually pretty solid.

Originally released in 2014, but repressed late last year, Acrotomophile Mutilator isn’t the expected bestial South American affair, but rather  a throwback death metal album in the vein of early Death, Cannibal Corpse and other 90s era death metal and thrash. There is nothing remotely original on the album, but it is done very well and a few moments here and there really shine through the competently generic, well produced death metal.

First track “When Children Murder” is the first such number with a very nifty melodic bridge about 2:28 in, showing this isn’t all pure brutality, and showing a Schuldiner worshiping take to the solos. The style overall does a good job of being technical and choppy but still being a brutal little, 32 minute slab of death metal. Whether it’s faster more direct work like second track “Tetrodoxin”, more controlled chug like “Kidnapped and Killed” or closer “Worse than Being Dead” (with another neat little melodic moment/solo), everything is on point; the vocals, the thick bass and the deft little injections of melody.

The material comes across a little more in depth and complex than the high school song title and themes like “Feasting on Feces” and “Regurgitating Human Parts” would have you believe. This is far tighter than the sort of sinewy sloppy Autopsy worship the cover and titles would insinuate, as tracks like ‘Wish You Were Dead (Again)” and instrumental “Devouring the Living” have a clever twiddly-ness to them that’s burly as well. Overall, a pretty promising little release from an unexpected source and hopefully a band than get get a little more exposure with this release.

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments