ALBUM REVIEW: Morbific – Squirm Beyond The Mortal Realm

Finnish Death Metal trio MORBIFIC are back with their second full length. After an amazing debut, I hold high hopes for this one. Set for release via Me Saco Un Ojo Records, Headsplit Records and Memento Mori on October 24th.

Gloomy samples start off the record before the mortifying stench of rotten riffs and jumpy drums kick into a calamity of crushing Death Metal. Those tasty mid-tempo hooks harken back to the old school gloriously with a fuzzy guitar tone and equally saturated bass chainsawing its way through pummelled percussion, met only by the equally vile odour of gurgling snarls. Much like on the debut and shorter releases, Morbific blend their own Finnish forefathers with a touch of the Swedish sound but more than anything; American classics such as Autopsy, Rottrevore, Funebrarum and the like. Punishingly heavy, low-tuned and primitive, there is no escaping the titanic strength of these opening tracks which fill the skull with putrescent ichor.

Occasional lead breaks are the closest thing we hear to respite from the punishing rhythmic blows, more often than not giving a simple but evocative bit of high end eeriness before delving back into the swampy depths. As can often be the case (with a good band anyway), this power-trio has a massive sound that is truly formidable and crushing. Monstrously gritty production further adds to this inescapably monolithic sound, interesting added a bit of synth flare here and there for maximum terror. While some might find the dirtiness of the sound harder to contend with, I personally find it fits Morbific’s rancid vision and sound like a fleshy glove. For instance “Suicide Sanctum” has one of the nastiest riffs of recent memory. It’s simple, but so damned savage and groovy. This album certainly feels a bit crustier than before, but to me this plays to their strengths and furthers their mouldy legacy gloriously.

Furious until the last, there is a pretty consistent rhythmic bashing that spreads across the entire band, while the guitars take enough angular shifts to keep things interesting. Like a dirge of dirt, there is denying that Morbific achieve the truly inconceivable levels of brutality and barbarity they clearly seek, so I think it is important to note when a band fulfils their own vision as has happened here. Creating art for themselves to be proud of and enjoy playing should always be a prime focus of a band as this excitement is contagious for us listeners, and I do not doubt for a moment Morbific love what they do. The use of Chase’s art (who also did the debut), felt perfectly suited to the expansive rotted realm that is alluded to in the title, giving the resplendent rancidity a suitable aesthetic to match its sonic torments. A natural, grotesque sequel to “Ominous Seep Of Putridity”, this feels like the next mangled step for Morbific and one that deserves all Death Metal maniacs to become zombified by.

Another reigning triumph for Finnish Death Metal, this young trio known as Morbific have given us one of 2022’s filthiest records by a long shot. Much like their debut, it’s high quality old school Death Metal, so summarising it might be redundant. Instead, I suggest opening your noses to the carnal, cryptic stench of this LP and you shall not be disappointed.

For more rottenness, read my interview with Morbific here.