DECAPITATED: Cancer Culture (DEATH METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The Poles of Decapitated are the masters of ultra-violent and technical death metal. They write hard-hitting records such as "Anticult" which had shaken Music Waves. The past five years have reduced the team to a trio (even if Paweł Pasek is credited as session musician). Michał M. Łysejko, meanwhile, has left his place to James Stewart (ex-Vader). Will this thrilling new heart lead Decapitated back to the path of its original violence?

The record opens with a martial rhythm and fat guitars while its lonely side punctuates the furnace with dissonances reminiscent of Malevolent Creation. 'Cancer Culture' pours out precise technical riffs, coated with sweet and sour sounds. Already this track shows a variety with slowed down passages stuck between two walls of riffs. The lone six-string delivers explosive passages, punctuated with dissonances. 'Just a Cigarette', varied and powerful, contrasts leaded riffs and stripped arpeggios.

The power explodes everywhere: thundering blasts that draw the shadow of Morbid Angel, syncopated rhythms at the limit of thrash or punk urgency full of harmonics. The melodies are frightening when the vibratos are pushed to the extreme ('Last Supper') or when the solitary lines tingle the ears ('Suicidal Space Programme'). Some touches of softness charm when the voice of Tatiana Shmayluk (Jinjer) interferes between walls of sound. The vocal duet of this title gives goosebumps... Finally 'Iconoclast' leaves the microphone to Robb Flynn (Machine Head) for an anthology part between Thrash and Heavy Metal.

"Cancer Culture" is a violent, aggressive and energetic record, a kind of return to the roots. This is a great album with a superb production, dark and enjoyable from start to finish. A summer punch to be enjoyed under a blazing sun. - Official website

DECAPITATED

CANCER CULTURE

NUCLEAR BLAST

DEATH METAL