Album Review: Becerus – Troglodyte (Everlasting Spew Records)

Becerus, the fetid death metal creature, is back with love letter to the 90″s death metal scene called ‘Troglodyte’. Out on December 20th, 2024, via Everlasting Spew Records.

Taking us back to a time where all we did was grunt and bash each other over the head, Becerus have a primordial ode to death metal on their hands here. Featuring thirteen tracks of nauseating speed and nonsensical heaviness, there’s very little nuance to this record. Which certainly has its own kind of appeal as sometimes its just nice to regress a little and wallow in filth.

Aggressive and ugly, in less capable hands, this experience could be an utter mess. Don’t get me wrong, it is, but that’s on purpose as Becerus want to make you feel under assault. Which you will, as each track comes with clubbing force and a vitriol that is akin to a wild, starving animal on a rampage. The archaic comparison continues to make sense as the album goes on as more and more horrifying heaviness is unleashed by these violent cavemen.

Yet, what’s really notable about this album is that it’s a bit weird too. Sure, the goal might be to deliver music that is savagely stomach-churning, but their instance upon worshipping the gross and ungainly figure of the mighty Becer, a disgusting, hostile creature whose muscles, dirty hair and belly instantly scare every living thing crossing his path, adds a whole new dimension. Several times across the album’s run, you’ll find your eyebrows raising in surprise, even if it’s not always in a good way.

So, what’s the appeal? It comes down to the simple fact that Becerus play hard and heavy. Not just living up to the promise of a 90’s style death metal throwback, but finding interesting ways to stand out from the pack, all while not compromising on the desired intensity in the slightest.

It’s metal that makes you feel dumber, regressing to communicating in grunts, drooling as you stare glassy-eyed at a hunk of meat, and with little else on the mind except a desire to hit someone over the head with your club once you’re done feasting and f**king.

Becerus – Troglodyte Track Listing:

1. Intro – Rise of the Energumens
2. Obfuscated By Imbecility
3. Aggressive Illiterate
4. Primordial Instinct
5. Bestius
6. Cacato
7. Pathetic Bovine Humour
8. Troglodyte
9. Brosura
10. Progressive Mental Retardation
11. Serpicus Ebbeth Macagno
12. Fat Laughters in Absolute Degradation
13. Grunt ‘Em All

Links

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