Today I’m bringing to you a double header of reviews that will cover the two EP releases to date from Florida based Technical Death Metal band Charnel Grounds. In 2021 the band released their debut offering ‘Molecular Entropy Examined in the Bowels of a Great One’, an EP with a name that is almost longer than the EP itself. Featuring four tracks and running at just under ten minutes, the EP has been unleashed on both CD and cassette by Los Angeles Death Metal/Grindcore label Sewer Rot Records.
Charnel grounds start things off with the heavily distorted bass leads of ‘The Hellmouth Beckons Across the Void’ before unleashing a vicious volley of technical guitar savagery and vengeful drum tones as ‘Desecration of the Host: Madness Complete’ kicks into full gear. Emphasis has been placed firmly on the riffs and the drumming, whilst the harrowing growled vocals sit lower down in the mix. Considering the songs are short, Charnel Grounds does well to building a crushing yet grandiose drumming style, whilst the guitar melodies are stiff, cold and steely, with a few moments of chugging heaviness thrown in for good measure.
Whilst the last track had some engaging and intensive melody on display, ‘Soul Scavengers of the Abyss’ is a thoroughbred slab of dominant, howling insanity that focuses on punishing drum tones and a deep, vibrant undertone of bass leads. The EP is seen out by ‘On a Cross of Ether’ which closes things on a violent, groove drenched high of powerful guitar leads and furious drumming. ‘Molecular Entropy Examined in the Bowels of a Great One’ is a professional sounding opus of bludgeoning Death Metal and leaves a nasty mark!
