ALBUM REVIEW: Mortuous – Upon Desolation

MORTUOUS are back with their 2nd album of rotten old school Death Metal worship. Out on September 16th via Carbonized Records and Extremely Rotten Productions.

Blasting into life with a barrage of belching riffs and blast-beats, the fetid odour of old school Death Metal is reeking in the air. The malignant musicianship is lurking in the low end while foul vocals emanate through the mix which moves quickly into the depraved depths of Death Metal, with extremely murky mastering that lends to the filthy sound of the album. Mid-tempo grooves come in with those New York / New Jersey style stomps while there is also something in the atmosphere akin to 90s Finnish Death Metal such as Convulse, Adramelech or Demigod (a band perhaps paid tribute to in the artwork which resembles their classic “Slumber Of Sullen Eyes” cover). This blend of mulch-ripening soundscapes is festering with fertile ideas, much like on their debut which rips through realms of decay from the very earliest moments. Though ferociously aggressive, there is the odd moment that is bordering on funereal, something which develops over the course, so more on that later. Back to beginnings, this album starts off strong. Shredding leads, nasty hooks, filthy riffs and consistently fantastic drumming, helmed by some sinister vocals. What’s not to like?

Okay, the criticism I think this might get is going to be a production one. While old school in its merits, there is a decidedly duller sound than on the debut which lacks some of the sharper punchiness, though this may be intentional it would be remiss not to mention. Though, to be honest, this is a very minor criticism as it is quite easy to forget as one gets lost in the swaying rottenness of the record which delivers such an infectiously putrescent atmosphere that grabs the attention exceedingly well. Pulsating riffs ooze among the slower drums while faster moments tend to synchronise into an onslaught of deathly debauchery, Mortuous have dynamics down to a science. With plenty reminiscent of the Death Metal gods of the 90s, there is a hell of a lot to admire about this album which really does achieve what it sets out to do.

In exceptional twists, Mortuous have a brilliant manner of tying these rambunctious assaults and more melancholic moments together very naturally. Often this can at best feel like a weird juxtaposition or worse, an abominable mess of failed ideas. Thankfully, this is not the case here. Instead we are treated to an exuberant and palatable blend of boil-bursting moments which span nearly forty minutes of utterly splendid Death Metal brilliance. Those more cavernous moments inject even more of the macabre without detracting from the slashing ferocity of the faster, more malicious drives, playing off of each other in chasmic contrast. Spraying cadaverine into the air, a sickly sweet and coffin-like stench of decay fills their air as the album draws toward its conclusion which doesn’t wind down as much as drops dead. Sometimes this can feel anticlimactic, but this record just simply doesn’t falter or mess with its own delivery. Executing all the necessities and steering far clear of pretentiousness is something I think is essential to a band like Mortuous and this is a case of actions speaking louder than words on their part. Decompose, destroy, die. No flowery nonsense to detract from death.

A culmination of cacophonous rot that follows “Through Wilderness” very well. While the debut has some qualities that I prefer slightly sound-wise, the efforts here are still absolutely rancid, in a good way. Elements of maturity in the atmospheric side of things must be commended and even the use of more dynamics and a surprising touch of orchestration gives the record some almost cinematic flare. Though this is still a reeking tome of truly festering old school morbidity at the heart of things. If you want excellent Death Metal, this’ll satisfy those cravings for certain.