Album Review: Molder – Engrossed In Decay (Prosthetic Records)

Joliet, Illinois-based old-school death metal quartet, Molder returned with renewed vengeance on their sophomore full-length album, Engrossed in Decay. It will be released via Prosthetic Records on July 15th, 2022.

Who doesn’t enjoy an occasional roll around in the muck? A messy splash of mud, bile, and faeces? It’s what comes to mind while listening to Molder’s Engrossed to Decay. An album of crusty death metal, with touches of speed and thrash here and there. Though the over-riding feeling is one of revulsion, it’s far easier than you think to dive headfirst into this sewage.

That comes from the fact that Molder are very good at delivering a chunky and bilious style of old-school death. Unforgiving heaviness with chunky riffs, frantic drums, and guttural vocals. It doesn’t get any more complex than that, yet is so appealing because of that simplicity.

Though, that is not to play down the impressive abilities of Molder who deliver an album full of great extreme music. From the brash brutality of Glutinous Remains. To the downright dangerous energy of Chemically Dissolved. To the vomit inducing mania of Huff the Stench and the twisted, blackened, and grotesque horror that is Ghastly Mutations. Molder regurgitate the sound of death but in their own way, making this spray of savagery intensely appealing.

Who doesn’t enjoy the occasional blast of old-school death metal? Molder have delivered one hell of a throwback, made all the better by a crisp, modern sound.

Molder – Engrossed in Decay Full Track Listing:

1. Glutinous Remains
2. Engrossed in Decay
3. Relentless Pestilence
4. Chemically Dissolved
5. Disinhumed Carcass Revived
6. Huff the Stench
7. Unsubstantial Hallucinations
8. Ghastly Mutations
9. Decomposed Embryos
10. Cask of Maggots

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Prosthetic Records