Desecration - Process of Decay

Rating: 9.0

Country: United Kingdom

Release Date: 2005

Track list:
1. When the Heart Stops Beating…
2. Initial Decay
3. Bacterial Breakdown [MP3]
4. Black Putrefaction
5. Butyric Fermentation
6. Maggots in Evidence
7. Corpse Fauna
8. Dry Rot
9. Gravewax

Total playing time: 28:37

Band Website: Desecration

Desecration - Process of Decay

Ollie: Guitars & Vocals
Michael: Drums
Pete: Bass & Backing Vocals
Morbid Mark of Amputated: guest vocals on “Black Putrefaction” and “Butyric Fermentation”

If you asked me what Desecration sounded like, it’d be an easy question to answer. About 65% First 3 albums by Cancer and 35% First 4 albums by Deicide. Some songs have a little bit more of that sick and menacing mid paced groove, some have a bit more of the super catchy blast-phemy, all with James Murphy-like leads. There ya’ go, Desecration in a nut shell.

However with 'Process of Decay' there are a few more ingredients in the vile soup de’ jure which is: Pure Anti-Trend DEATH (GRRRRRR) METAL, mother FUCKER, or…is that “asshole wanker”. Either way, this shit fucking RIPS man! The extra ingredients are, a rawer production, an even more relentless approach, and absolutely intense riff action. True, and unfortunately there are no longer any solos in these songs, but they ARE more rabid compositions. MUCH more rabid, and infinitely more effective in the long run-even if the “long run” refers to an album barely over 28 minutes.

Boasting a incredibly volatile guitar tone, VERY similar to Krisiun’s 'Conquerors of Armageddon' and finally a drum sound that isn’t overpowering, Desecration not only has written their strongest material to date but finally have the best of production jobs to match it. It’s fucking nasty-and I LOVE it! The overall mix is one of the few Desecration releases to FINALLY keep the drum volume down a bit. The drums were always my biggest gripe with Desecration on 'Murder in Mind' they had a decent enough sound but were mixed so loud they often evoked feelings of anger (“Arg! Turn the snare DOWN!”). 'Inhuman' was almost no different, the sound was a little less obtrusive yet the snare especially was mixed a bit too loud-better, but still bad. 'Pathway to Deviance' fixed most of the snare disorders, but made the kicks WORSE. Made that particular album come off as sloppy… However, 'Process of Decay' has it all right. Not just the drum sound/mix but the songs as well!

Previous Desecration albums, as enjoyable as I find them DID have a problem with filler tracks. 'Process of Decay' is void of filler. The band’s greatest flaw has now been resolved. Each song is well crafted, catchy and hacks and chops away with no remorse and little if any time to breath between each caustic number. One song bleeds right into another making it’s relentless and intense nature doubly effective and unavoidable.

The riffs come right for you, nothing subtle, nothing frilly or fruity. Just a plethora of assaulting guitar artillery. It’s so damn hooky too! The hooks ensnare and peel off your weak flesh with unashamed force and precision. Instantly catchy tracks like “Initial Decay” and “Bacterial Breakdown” (BAC! TA! RE! YAL! BREAK! DOWN!) demand, with cruelty and malice-that you head-bang until that ugly mass you call a head detaches from your pitiful spine-you puny weakling! Some tunes on here even remind me of Deranged when they slightly slow down (when that DOES happen).

The vocals, sometimes vomitous, are always barbaric and powerful. No inhaling, no effects, no mumbling-just raging, maniacal, throaty, meaty rants of punishing fury.

Just a fantastic solid slab of REAL Death Metal for those of us sick of all of the trends.

PS: AWESOME cover art and song titles!!!!

June 24th, 2005