ALBUM REVIEW: Sedimentum – Suppuration Morphogénésiaque

Canadian Death-Doom Metal masters SEDIMENTUM finally unveil their debut album after some of the best demos the underground has seen in recent years. Set for co-release on July 25th via Me Saco Un Ojo Records and Memento Mori Records.

Wasting no time on a tepid introduction, the cacophonous spew of vitriolic Death Metal erupts with blast beats, gutturally puking vocals and monolithic riffs that deliver a raw and crushing array of putrescent sounds instantly. The way in which Sedimentum dive headlong into their own record is a testimony to a band who are too eager to play rotten Death Metal to wait, a mood which is contagious and makes the urgent feelings of dread and fury all the more genuine. With swinging grooves that utilise some busy cymbal work, there is a primitive meatiness to the sound while not feeling too stripped back or plain. This band don’t feel played out or too simplistic to be interesting. Rather, we see some monstrous instrumental work back up a gruesome vocal performance that delivers total carnage within the opening tracks while utilising tempo changes to add some bestial hooks and eldritch doom to their sound. Sedimentum clearly have a lot to offer on this record, so what lies ahead?

Doom. The injection of sprawling Death-Doom harkens back to the Finnish bands mastery of gloom in their sound along with bands like Mexico’s Cenotaph (in their early days) which is utterly glorious when coupled with the rampaging animalistic aggression in equal abundance on this tome of decay. Rather than feeling confused about their identity or direction, Sedimentum triumphantly mash their influences together into a sound of their own which is pure old school Death Metal putridity full of atmosphere and aggression. Chugging riffs turn to angular shreds and then to funereal ambience, all in a natural and fluid manner. Talking of shreds, the solos on this album are wicked. Adding some Morbid Angel whammy dives and blistering scale runs atop mountainous rhythmic hammering. This bludgeoning and yet refined approach shows the same band we loved on the demos come into their own in LP form, allowing expansion and experimentation on their core sound which explores many sepulchral avenues without losing that hideous centrepiece that is retained throughout.

Sometimes more sluggish, drawn-out moments can tamper with the momentum of a record. Thankfully, on this one, those slower parts drudge through those swamps of filth while still hitting with the force of a sledgehammer, retaining the mighty and unforgiving pace of the album. In fact, the execution and songwriting is unwavering, giving us some very volatile and yet organic progressions. With a clear, but ultimately old school production that allows the floating leads and vocals to soar without losing the magnificent riffs, bass lines and drumming which offer so much brutality, nothing is left buried nor sticks out haphazardly. Similarly, the artwork looks how the record sounds, which is always a really interesting feat to achieve but Brad Moore nailed the vision of this rotted masterpiece. All of these elements may not make a great record, but when you have a great record, they make it even more of a wonderful experience and this is a perfect example of that. All elements fall into their place of rancidity, like all was meant to be. Everyone fulfilled their role brilliantly and the end result speaks for itself.

Sedimentum have delivered a truly masterful debut LP of Death Metal malice. Ranging from charnel doom to bestial ferocity with ease, this is a varied listen which encompasses all things decomposing and dread-inducing to give us a truly rewarding and exciting listen. The development from the already high-quality demos is obvious and proved an album was worth the wait. This is some truly exceptional, unforgettable and punishing Death Metal.