anal-vomit-peste-negra-muerte-negraThere are very few bands who can legitimately claim cult status in the death metal genre, and Anal Vomit are one of those few. Formed in 1992 in Lima, Peru, the uncompromising Death Metal four piece have undergone some line up changes over the years but now they are set to release their 4th studio album which literally translates to “Black Death, Black Death”. With horrifyingly delightful artwork to match, let’s see if this kills us off.

“Brebaje de Muerte” opens the album up with an initial slow groove feel with some whammy bar theatrics from the lead guitar line but this doesn’t last long. It kicks into life with some ferocious drumming and it gets even more frantic in the verse with rapid guitars and harshly growled Spanish vocals which last the entire album. Full of evil sounding riffs and precise timekeeping, this track is what you’d expect to hear on an old Morbid Angel album. The drums are fantastic, the bass is there but it can be hard to hear and the guitar work is stunning throughout. It’s a great opening track. “Valle de Tinieblas” gets going with a steadier build up which goes into a powerful groove which is perfect for headbanging to. The powerful drums and pounding bass give way to a full on frantic paced assault once more round the 1 minute mark and its really intense. The breakneck pace slows to a more slower slam feel section and round the 2 minute mark there is an eerie sounding guitar part with some whispered vocals which paves the way for it to hit full speed again for the end of the song.

“Obsessive Sexual Slaughter” opens up with a twisting guitar and bass intro which keeps the intensity going and when it kicks in, yup, you guessed it – its relentlessly fast. Tricky sounding guitar riffs and pounding drums lead the rapid fire assault which at times crosses over into thrash territory with its feel sometimes (check out the 2:20 mark), full of great headbanging grooves. The bass is clear in this one and the lead guitar over the slam styled rhythm really keeps the uncompromising approach up. Right before the track ends, everything kicks up another gear, pig squeal vocals, evil riffs, frantic soloing. It’s a fantastic end to the track! “La Muerte del Papa (Interludo)” is exactly what it says – an interlude. Disturbing sounding samples and spoken word over a beeping as if something was on life support. All of a sudden, it cuts out with a high pitched beep, like the life support ended and “Dios Muerto” follows up. With some chugging chords to begin with, it gets right to the point with its fast paced assault and blast beat friendly drumwork. Vocally, it’s almost similar to early Carcass (pre-heartwork) and it works well. The teasing between groove and near grindcore pace works wonderfully, keeping you guessing what is coming next and as the pace alternates between full on and more controlled, it really explodes to life towards the end of the track without losing any momentum. Round the 3:40 mark there are some great riffs and shortly after we get a Slayer like solo section, full of frantic and intense guitar abuse. It’s a really powerful track.

“Veganza Obscura” opens with a thunderous bass heavy intro which will have you nodding your head in approval. The powerful simple groove and gratuitous use of double kick will have you amazed, but when it picks up speed round 1:05, you’ll be blown away. Blast beats and frantic guitars give way to another wild sounding atonal lead section and the intensity factor ups again round 2:05 when a demented laugh signals yet another ridiculously fast section. At times it has that Black Metal feel with the rapid fire trem picked guitar attack and the intense atmosphere it creates which works well, and when it does slow down round 4:30 it’s got a real crushing slam feel to it where sneering and headbanging is mandatory. “A Savage Fornication” has some pounding rhythm work to start with which accompanies an evil sounding guitar solo. The evil doesn’t stop there as it quickly breaks for the breakneck pace which is present throughout the entire album. The vocals are harshly snarled out on this one which helps add to the aggressive intense sound and the drums are consistent as always as the song teases between fast and not as fast throughout.

“Estado Comatoso” has that big build-up feel to it at the start which as expected signals the next burst of ultra-rapid delivery. Vocally, its delivered at the same breakneck pace as some of the instruments in the verses and when it does slow down, the deep growls over the slow, crushing feel section are just as intense as anything else on the album. Round the 2:10 mark, it picks back up to the controlled chaos approach and as expected, the song goes full speed ahead once more to end. Closing the album is “Pact to Kill (Outro)”. It starts off with an atmospheric build up, creating a sense of unease with the ringing out guitars which sound out of sync with the bass, but this doesn’t last long as once again for the last time, the slow build explodes to the trademark incredibly quick pace. Switching at will between furious pace and powerful groove, it shows no mercy and doesn’t compromise at all. Teasing with the thrashy feel in the groove sections but with added blast beats, its perfect fodder for whiplash inducing windmill headbanging and it’s a fantastic way to end the album.

“Peste Negra, Muerte Negra” might be predictable at times, showing little diversity in the approach which just seems to be play fast, then try to play even faster whilst being as intense as humanly possible, but that is why this album works so well. It has that classic Death Metal feel and it wouldn’t sound out of place back in the early 90’s. It’s a powerful, precise and unrelentingly fast breath of fresh air and one of the albums you need to hear this year. Don’t let the name put you off, it’s anything but shit!

(8/10 Fraggle)

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