Review Summary: A great introductory album into the world of extreme metal.
Having released six albums that consecutively develop their technical prowess and deadly delivery, Decapitated has become one of the most notorious names in death metal over the past few years. Not only has did this band rise to prominence when they were mere teenagers, not only did they continue to produce consistently strong material after the tragic passing of Witold “Vitek” Kiełtyka 10 years ago but Poland’s Decapitated are now becoming a gateway band for those wishing to enter the extreme metal scene due to fact that the raging riffs Vogg churns out are both technical and destructive, but also groovily irresistible.
As a logical step up from 2014’s
“Blood Mantra”, Decapitated’s seventh album,
”Anticult”, upholds and progresses this newfound accessibility while sacrificing no amount of ferocity in the process; everything that made
“Blood Mantra” sound dangerous and accessible has simply been amplified. This amplification includes the fact that Decapitated step further away from their dizzying gymnastics on the fretboard and rely on malicious grooves and disorientating soundscapes more so than any album they have released thus far. Most tracks on this album feature draw out notes and a focus on hammering a certain riff into one’s brain as opposed to the jagged rhythms that Decapitated was originally built on. Although these eerie moments occasionally break the fierce momentum the band establishes, they increase Decapitated’s imposing demeanour while forcing the subsequent onslaught of slamming riffs or powerful howls to sound ever more vicious.
Vogg owns the spotlight during the course of
”Anticult” as this is easily the grooviest album Decapitated has released however their dexterous death metal lineage is still more than evident. Amongst some gliding melodic passages, “Deathvaluation” commences with itchy staccato riffing before exploding into a frenzy of rampaging drumming and spiky guitars. These spiked, jagged riffs which erupt from the frantic rhythms are present in other tracks such as “Earth Scar” where even the simplest second-long spiralling melody magnifies the song’s chaotic nature. There never seems to be a moment of respite during
”Anticult” and that is predominately down to Michał Łysejko’s relentless drumming. Alongside Vogg’s traumatic guitars, Łysejko’s volatile blast beats sound like a dam bursting after the alarming and impending tone set at the start of “One-Eyed Nation”. During these moments where every member of Decapitated binds together to focus on specific rhythm sections, the threatening delivery surges immensely.
As much as
”Anticult” is an amplification of their recent work, it also announces fresh elements into Decapitated’s sound. The fact that the band is leaning more towards groove-focused metal than slaughtering technical death metal opens up numerous possibilities such as varying their song structures, creating memorable hooks and altering their vocal delivery, all of which are exhibited on this album. Chugging guitars, oozing melodies and odd time signatures evoke a slight Meshuggah influence during the dissonant “Impulse” while Rafał ‘Rasta’ Piotrowski adopts a grimy, meaty rousing vocal style that Max Cavalera would be proud of during the rousing “Kill The Cult”. Clearly, Decapitated is beginning to establish a unique style of death metal that simultaneously appears violent and hostile but also approachable to anyone looking for a doorway that opens into the belligerent world of extreme metal.
Clocking at 37 minutes, Decapitated have produced a brilliantly extreme album infused with numerous accessible elements which contains no unnecessary fat whatsoever. Its delivery is threatening, it’s savage production is excellent and the album is submerged in a melancholic atmosphere and monstrous ingenuity; there’s no doubt Decapitated’s popularity will surge to new heights after the release of
”Anticult”.
