Technical Death metal is arguably one of the most superior genres in the metal community. With its mature, highly developed sound and complex delivery of guitar solos, Tech-death is often the musician’s choice of metal to indulge in and thankfully, Belgian five piece Catarrhal have created quite the knock out technical album for metal nerds to revel in.
2013’s Fleshgrave was one hell of a relentless album and definitely one for the boldest, most seasoned tech-death fans. Thankfully, Catarrhal found it in their hearts to spoil their fans (and undoubtedly attract plenty of new ones along the way) and re-release Fleshgrave, adding their 2004 EP Beyond Onirism to it. The albums combined consists of 15 tracks packed full of intricate, squealing riffs, crashing cymbals and deep, almost guttural growls that will get your technical senses tingling. Immolation are clearly a strong influence on Fleshgrave, with distinct Harnessing Ruin and Close to a World Below vibes reigning strong throughout. More melodic influences are also present on the album such as post Heartwork Carcass and Morbid Angel with a slight touch of Necrophagist thrown in for good measure.
There is quite the obvious contrast between Fleshgrave and Beyond Onirism. The bands 2004 EP is much more brutal and experimental with screechy, satanic vocals and some groovy death and roll undertones whereas Fleshgrave is pretty much non-stop tech death from start to finish. Despite Fleshgrave being an energetic and masterfully crafted album, it is certainly missing some infectious riffs and catchy hooks in its arsenal.
Fleshgrave’s unique selling point is definitely the powerful levels of punch it has to it. Seventh track Morbid Exhalation and eighth track Into the Arms of Light are powerful, bitey numbers with plenty of speed and aggression packed into them. Also despite being a furious, death metal frenzy Fleshgrave also has some fantastic melo-death tunes on it. Fifth song Dressed in Blood and Puke and title track Fleshgrave both have more rhythm and melody to them than your average death metal song with again plenty of power and energy behind them.
The addition of Beyond Onirism to Fleshgrave makes it a varied and exciting listen and keeps the listener on their toes. Catarrhal are an awesome death metal band with plenty of talent and skill that are set to take the death metal world by storm. For those who love complicated, technical death metal with bucket loads of substance and depth to it then look no further than Catarrhal.
then look no further than Catarrhal.
(7/10 Eilish Foxen)
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