In the world of extreme, gore-soaked metal, names such as Cattle Decapitation, Cannibal Corpse and Magrudergrind are always liable to work fans into a froth. So, when an EP touches down drawing influence from these acts but “with a comical, tongue-in-cheek touch” then we’re always going to take notice. Based in New York’s Hudson valley and originally started as a studio project, Necroptic Engorgement is a three-piece death metal killing machine. Despite numerous line-up shifts, the band have honed a mechanistic edge that is beautifully brutal and ‘Realms of incessant bloodshed’ demonstrates the band’s relentless technicality to full effect.
This short EP kicks off with the monstrous title track, a blast-beat powered and thuggish blast of toxic metal that refreshes all the parts that other, similarly themed acts just can’t reach (wait… what?) More to the point, the vocals, despite appearing to have been recorded by Satan himself, are remarkably clear and by the end of this track, so dizzying in its brutality, you’ll either be banging your head until the hinges break or reaching for the off-button – it’s hard to imagine a middle-ground with music this extreme and ambivalence is not an option. The band’s malevolent death-ride continues with ‘Tapestry of decay’, a no-less poisonous outing that pairs discordant guitars with skull-crushing bass and some neat changes of tempo that demonstrate the musical skill at the heart of this venomous cocktail. It seems ridiculous to even suggest it at this point, but ‘Endless Malevolence’ actually ups the ante. Played at blistering speed, it is a 40 second blast that rivals Napalm Death before the delightfully titled ‘Sandpaper masturbation’ threatens to leave fans cross-legged for the duration with its darkly comical lyrics and scything guitar riffs. Not unlike being trapped in a cement mixer with Autopsy, ‘Sandpaper masturbation’ benefits from a ferocious solo and a doom-laden breakdown that successfully makes the song sound even heavier. ‘Nagaleria Fowleri’ throws in some unexpectedly jazzy bass runs, before kicking into a diamond-edged groove tempered by occasional nods to Slayer. ‘Bound, gagged and gutted’ concludes the EP with one last crazed attack on the senses as the band wield guitar riffs like Ginsu knives, stabbing at the listener with gleeful ferocity.
Music this extreme is for a very select few, but, if you are one of those few, then this will become your new go-to release for utmost brutality, technical ability and a dark, dark sense of humour. Recorded with impressive clarity considering the blistering speed of some of these tracks, and with the band displaying levels of musicianship that consistently impress, this is one hell of a beautifully brutal release. Utterly savage, ‘realms of incessant bloodshed’ will batter you into submission and hump your unconscious body having done so. If that sounds like your thing, then this is the release for you.
