![undergang – de syv stadier af fordærv [ep]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Undergang-De-Syv-stadier-af-fordaerv-cover.jpeg "Undergang – De syv stadier af fordærv [EP]")
Info
- Band(s): Undergang
- Label(s): Dark Descent Records, Extremely Rotten Productions, Me Saco un Ojo Records
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette, CD, EP
- Release Year: 2023
- Review Date: September 17, 2023
- Author(s): VincentP
Upon death, the human body undergoes a process called Pallor Mortis where it becomes pale, before the bodily fluids sink down and create a purplish red discoloration of the skin in a stage called Livor Mortis. The adaption of the body to the surrounding temperature (Algor Mortis) and the stiffening of the body (Rigor Mortis), precede putrefaction, which marks the start of decomposition. The proteins and tissues break down, organs liquify and the soft tissue rots away until only a skeleton remains. These are the seven stages of decomposition, the subject of the latest EP by the Danish masters of death, gloom and putridity, Undergang.
By now the sound of Undergang is as recognizable as the smell of decomposition, and it takes a matter of seconds of the gloriously pulsating opener ‘Død’ to know what we’re dealing with. On their recent releases the band has been writing quite a few longer tracks, and their side of the split with Spectral Voice only contained songs of over 5 minutes. On the latest offering ‘De syv stadier af fordærv’ the band keeps it rather short and sweet however, coming in at 20 minutes of material with only ‘Livløs i en pøl af egne udskillelser (Algor Mortis)’ clocking in over four minutes. And this more compact songwriting is reflected in the style of the material. As always, the band combines the best of Autopsy, Rottrevore, Carcass, Bolt Thrower, diSEMBOWELMENT and Incantation, but the accents in the sound differ from release to release. And you may have guessed it based on the theme of the release, ‘De syv stadier af fordærv’ has a very distinct stench of old school Carcass to it. It’s not so much the Grinding pace, but more the riffs and double vocals in symphonies of sickness like ‘Mælkehvid og gennemsigtig (Pallor Mortis)’ and ‘Misfarvning af liget (Livor Mortis)’ that reek of the British Grinding putrefaction and show Undergang’s love for the corpse of the Grindcore era of the legendary act. That by no means makes ‘De syv stadier af fordærv’ a ‘Symphonies of Sickness’ cover EP. The typical gurgling growls of David ‘Torturdød’ Mikkelsen, murky and crawling tempo of the breaks and influences of all music that’s old, dead and rotting make it still very distinctly an Undergang release. Essentially, you get Carcass-inspired riffs, groove and occasional guttural duets mixed with the monstrously heavy filth of Undergang. Who can say no to that?
Undergang was one of the bands that convinced me the old school Death Metal revival was here to stay, and more than a decade of decay later, they are still on top of the corpse pile. The glorious ‘Indhendet Af Doden’ demo that started it all for them will forever remain my favorite, but it’s a sign of their dedication and longevity that ‘De syv stadier af fordærv’ is not even that far behind. It might actually be my favourite release by them since ‘Indhendet Af Doden’!
Dark Descent Records
- Country: USA
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
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Me Saco un Ojo Records
- Country: United Kingdom
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp
