Info
- Band(s): Grotesqueries
- Label(s): Caligari Records
- Release Format(s): Cassette, CD
- Release Year: 2023
- Review Date: June 28, 2023
- Author(s): Ben Schultz
A few months back, thanks to VM-Underground here, I was able to find a new band that I just absolutely love, Grotesqueries. I had even got the chance to do a short review of their amazing debut EP, ‘Haunted Mausoleum’, and gave it a “muah. Chefs kiss”. And then on just Monday of this week, June 19th 2023, a moment of serendipitity happened, my amazing (I truly don’t deserve them) life partner gifted me a awesome shirt from said band just mere hours before the great Ricardo sent me the files for their new, fucking outstanding, full-length album to review. So, after my initial excitement relaxed a bit and I got through a few ripping listens as just a fan. I am now ready to give it a few more spins to try and give you, dear reader, possible future listener, a fair and impartial review of Grotesqueries’ ‘Vile Crematory’. What does that look like and will I be able to do that? Let’s find out.
Grotesqueries started out their life in the year of 2020 as the brainchild of Yianni Tranxidis (drums, lyrics) but have since morphed into a full quintet. And this five piece Death Metal powerhouse comes to us by the way of Boston, Massachusetts in the United States. Where Tranxidis and cohorts, along with the mighty Calagari Records, have unleashed on to us their first ever full-length album ‘Vile Crematory’. Technically called a debut full-length by most of the music media out there but in all actuality the ‘Haunted Mausoleum’ EP was their true debut. And saying anything else is a disgrace to the greatness of that EP. But I digress. With ‘Vile Crematory’ we get seven tracks, just over thirty-five minutes of some of the best Death Metal you will hear all year. Ok, so maybe being totally objective might not be completely possible but I’m still gonna give it my best shot, even if I slip up every once in a while. So please forgive me.
Yet, what does this “best Death Metal you will hear all year” sound like? Well, Grotesqueries, I mean honestly. But in fairness I’ll continue on, there will be a hint of an inspiration here and then a whiff of a different inspiration there but in the end they ultimately come out sounding like themselves and no mere carbon copy, rehash of other acts. Crushing, stomping riffs morph into controlled, raging, sinnewy chaos straight into Doom-y, dank dungeons and then right in to catchy (in terms of Death Metal) almost galloping guitar goodness. And the solos, can’t forget the solos, those delicious treats soar and wail in a way that is equally beautiful, masterful and always fitting of the song as a whole, delectable. Then you have a drummer who actually understands the value of their position in the Death Metal world, having the control to never just be double bass steamrollering over everything. Having the right, most fitting fill here or cymbal crash there just when it is truly needed. Plus you get real audible bass that is crushing and bruising. With a true understanding of when to be in the pocket with the guitars, filling that sound and when to stand proud above the crowd, adding perfect counterpoints. And finally the vocals, those perfect low end growls that at intelligible and bowel rupturing all at once. The perfect mix.
In the end what we get is a super strong album that is another step ahead of their previous EP, which is huge. Seeing as ‘Haunted Mausoleum’ is an amazing EP. So to say, ‘Vile Crematory’ is abso-fucking-lutly out of this world good. And that’s not just my biased opinion speaking. No, for Grotesqueries are the real deal and have delivered a monster of an album that we will be sure to be talking about for years to come. Again, for a third time, this is “some of the best Death Metal you will hear all year” if not beyond that.
Caligari Records
- Country: USA
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
