Former Iniquity members unleash a new breed of death metal deviance
In spite of being together since 1993, A New Species of Deviant is only Corpus Mortale's second official full length. The band features former members of Denmark's mighty Iniquity and for the most part picks up where that legendary death metal outfit left off. While much of the modern Scandinavian scene is overly concerned with creating a more accessible sound, Corpus Mortale is one band that still remembers how to make devastatingly brutal and uncompromising death metal.
Like Bolt Thrower or Obituary, Corpus Mortale are at their best when chugging along at measured, deliberate tempos, and much of A New Species of Deviant sees them playing to this strength, the album rarely picking up speed beyond a skull-crushingly mid-paced grind. But don't let the general lack of immediacy fool you into thinking Corpus Mortale is dull or monotonous, rather, songs like "Scorched" and "Devoid in Compassion" seethe with an oozing malevolence that recalls death metal's glory days. The riffs are heavy and intricate in a Cannibal Corpse-like manner, balancing brutality and technicality with the greatest of ease. In fact, Corpus Mortale's bludgeoning, relentless sound has far more in common with old school American death metal than their Scandinavian peers. The band fits in perfectly alongside classic Floridian bands such as Morbid Angel and the aforementioned Obituary, but sticks out like a sore thumb next to Arch Enemy or Dark Tranquility (not to mention their hundreds of clones), and this is a damn good thing.
Listening to the album, it's easy to tell that Corpus Mortale is comprised of veteran death metal musicians; such is the fluid nature of their songwriting. These guys know how to create compelling, old school sounding death metal because they ARE old school. During the genre's late '80s/early '90s heyday, bands had a knack for making music that sounded genuinely evil and forbidding, and Corpus Mortale captures this atmosphere amidst their brutal onslaught without sounding the least bit dated or passé. The production on the album is nothing short of exemplary; each instrument is clearly audible yet the whole of the record possesses a filthy, vile feeling that suits the songs perfectly.
A New Species of Deviant is an impressive piece of timeless death metal that will please fans still mourning the loss of Iniquity or simply looking for another slab of unyielding maliciousness to add to their collection. After over ten years in existence, Corpus Mortale has made an album that will undoubtedly push them into the realm of the death metal elite.
| Reviewer: Josh Haun Added: January 7th 2008 |
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