Album Review: Undeath – More Insane (Prosthetic Records)

New York-based death metal greats Undeath emerge from festering slime with their new album, ‘More Insane’, out on October 4th, 2024, via Prosthetic Records.

The putrid stench of death metal isn’t just strong here, it’s downright overpowering and it’s because of Undeath’s decomposing style. Where the rot doesn’t stop them from delivering something furiously fast and horribly heavy, their behaviour more akin to wicked demons desperate to claim your soul.

It’s certainly up for grabs if you willingly subject yourself to this new album as it features a cacophony of furious noise. Based entirely within the sphere of death metal, but not curtailed by genre limitations. While there isn’t anything wildly erratic here, Undeath do marry the old-school ferocity of the sound with a more modernised groove infusion. The result being a ten-track beast of brutalising proportions, but a ten-track beast that is appealingly unpleasant.

Only the best of death metal can proudly wear the badge of appealing unpleasantness. As to someone not enamoured by the sound, the idea of subjecting yourself to something rancid is absurd. Of course, these descriptors are only there to add hyperbole to what is, at its core, a style focused on speedy riffs, loud percussion, and throaty vocals. However, when it’s done right, it sets the imagination aflame and More Insane has the mind feeling like it is melting in the heat.

Undeath have nailed it here. Delivering more than just a strong brutal death metal record, but a consistently strong brutal death metal record. It hits hard, pushing and pulling the mind with hefty might, squeezing the senses with a thrilling showcase of garish power across its ten offerings. Before you even know it, you’re arms deep in the miasma of rotting blood and guts and unable to pull yourself back out.

There are many highlights but Brandish the Blade is one such special track, not just sounding positively manic, but featuring some of the album’s most feral riffs and drum beats. Then there is the grim horror that oozes out of Cramped Caskets (Necrology), but there’s also the unfettered violence of Disattachment of a Prophylactic in the Brain. Undeath spread their bile far and wide, and most will be more than happy to be caught up in the stink.

Undeath – More Insane Track Listing:

1. Dead from Beyond
2. More Insane
3. Brandish the Blade
4. Disputatious Malignancy
5. Sutured for War
6. Cramped Caskets (Necrology)
7. Bounty Hunter
8. Wailing Cadavers
9. Disattachment of a Prophylactic in the Brain
10. Bones Clattering in the Cave

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