Firstly, expect the expected. Chaos Horrific sounds like a modern Cannibal Corpse album through and through, continuing the trend of its predecessor. Relentlessly fast, bloody and brutal, the thrashy, technically precise tunes come densely packed with extra beefy riffs, breakneck rhythms and the ageless roars and motor mouth growls of George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher. Alex Webster’s signature bass licks kick off robust opener “Overlords of Violence.” It’s exactly the kind of straight-for-the-jugular Corpse attack the listener craves, built on a solid foundation of fast, chunky riffs and tight, propulsive rhythms, enlivened by a ripping solo. Clocking in at a tight 39 minutes, Chaos Horrific leaves few offcuts on the killing room floor. It’s a trait to appreciate with the multitude of overstuffed albums nowadays, and while never approaching career-defining highs, it’s consistently solid and Cannibal Corpse sound full of youthful exuberance and energy.
On their second outing together, Rutan and Rob Barrett’s tandem axework features more zing and punch compared to its predecessor, Rutan’s influence more pronounced, the riffs generally catchier, more impactful, while retaining a technical edge. In particular, the solo work is top-notch, injecting welcome melodic nuance and an unpredictable edge to otherwise frantic, workmanlike Cannibal Corpse tunes. The teeth-gnashing ferocity of “Frenzied Feeding” is a thrashing, bashing, bone-crunching slab ‘o Corpse fun, featuring a menacing atmosphere and devastating groove section. “Summoned for Sacrifice” fits its bill as a lead-off single, its infectiously headbangable swagger bolstered by sections of brutal, bloodthirsty speed, nifty tempo shifts, and gut-punching grooves. A couple of solid though less impactful tunes leads to brief moments of monotony and lack of songwriting dynamics. However, it helps that Chaos Horrific wraps on a strong note via the one-two punch of “Pestilential Rictus” and closer “Drain you Empty.” The former cranks out catchy, d-beat-driven buzz, boasting serious heft, while “Drain you Empty” brings impressive death-doom clout, skull-battering heaviness, and frantic speed in spades.
The production job packs extra pounds, with its sleek, beefed-up tones and polished clarity, only marred by the disappointingly loud, smashed mastering. Otherwise, the songs contain the requisite sonic weight to compliment the rugged, crunchy tones. Age shall not weary the high-quality vocal work of Corpsegrinder. The dude is again in fine form with his trademark, in-your-face roars remaining a vital, instantly recognizable part of the Corpse make-up, though his subtle variables and high-pitched range have dulled over time. Also, a shout-out is earned for founding member and drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz. Somewhat underrated in the halls of death, Mazurkiewicz may lack flash, but his playing is incredibly solid, tight, and reliably pummeling throughout the relentlessly speedy material, while he can lock into a mean groove in a heartbeat.
Chaos Horrific features a tidy array of modern Corpse tunes, ranging from good to very good in quality while sounding more vicious, urgent, and balanced than Violence Unimagined. Cannibal Corpse can still punch out quality albums at a consistent clip, a testament to their longevity and endearing consistency. Chaos Horrific won’t change any minds for those previously unmoved by Cannibal Corpse’s signature brand of no-frills American death, but long-time listeners should find much to enjoy here, despite its lack of wow factor or surprises. In a solid year for death metal veterans thus far, Chaos Horrific keeps the streak going and reinforces there is plenty more life left in these old, grizzled dogs.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Metal Blade Records
Websites: cannibalcorpse.bandamp.com | facebook.com/cannibalcorpse
Releases Worldwide: September 22nd, 2023
