India’s deathgrinding powerhouse Gutslit took me by surprise on 2017’s accomplished and wildly enjoyable sophomore album, Amputheatre, marking a sizable leap forward from their rough around-the-edges 2013 debut, Skewered in the Sewer. On reflection, I was shocked to learn it had been six years or so since being blindsided by Amputheatre, and thus stoked to delve into the latest platter from this gifted quartet, mauling their way into underground recognition. Carnal is Gutslit’s third LP and signals a welcome return from a band with the chops and ever-growing potential to take the extreme metal world by storm. However, Amputheatre was a formidable album and a tough act to follow. What’s new in the Gutslit camp, and has the passage of time impacted the band for better or worse?
First up, there has been a shift in the line-up since the last go around, with vocalist Kaushal L. S. parting ways and original frontman Aditya Barve returning to the fold. Meanwhile, Gutslit has swapped label backing to go down the independent release path. There are some other tweaks we will delve into later, but essentially the Gutslit formula remains intact; punishing modern death and deathgrind executed with clinical precision, the right amount of aggro, and hefty chunks of groove. Following his predecessor’s strong performance on the previous album, any notion returning vocalist Barve wouldn’t be up to task is swiftly put to rest. There are similarities in their varied styles, though Barve brings enough of his own style and potency to stand on his own, through a versatile array of low growls, grunts, occasional pig squeals, and higher-pitched variables for extra spice.
Carnal carries across many of the stylistic traits of Amputheatre, featuring nods to the likes of Benighted and Aborted, however, Carnal also feels a little more controlled and ever so slightly streamlined, while still packing a solid punch. Opener “Son of Sam” does what good openers should; lay a solid platform for its counterparts while making a statement of intent. It’s unspectacular and straightforward, yet blessed with enough of the band’s feisty attitude, including thrashy tropes and slammy breakdown, to get things rolling. There is similarly good quality stuff to absorb throughout the album. as Gutslit’s dynamic, technically precise deathgrind winds toughened grooves, hook-laden brutality and tight riffcraft into accessible, entertaining tunes. Benighted’s Julien Truchan lends his supreme vocal talents with a fun, dueling trade-off with Barve on the taut, chunky goodness of “Bind, Torture, Kill,” while the measured melodic attack and scything lead work shines on nuanced cut ‘Body Snatcher.” Gutslit’s technically proficient musicianship is top-notch and worthy of praise, backed by catchy, uncompromising songcraft.
Within their set style, Gutslit continue to unleash clever ways to stave off monotony and sound fresh, evidenced through the strong vocal variations and neat way Gutslit mixes up tempos and delivery. Gutslit ensure the material is lean, compact and to the point, hammering through eight cuts in a mere thirty minutes flat. The ultra-short and super fun “Insidious,” at a brief forty-one seconds, presents Gutslit’s grindier edges and ability to cram quality ideas into a pint-sized timeframe. Rather than go out on a whimper, Gutslit consolidate a strong back half with the closing one-two punch of “Altar of Putridity” and “Primeval.” The former in particular is a corker of a tune; all ripping riffs, thrashy blows, and sick, Dying Fetus-esque slamming grooves. Quibbles are relatively minor. Although a consistently solid listen, there are perhaps two to three cuts that aren’t quite as impactful or memorable as the majority of the material. Meanwhile, the clean, muscular production does the job, but the bricked mastering fails to do justice to Gutslit’s dynamic deathgrind assault. I also feell Gutslit may be an album or two away from reaching their fullest potential and cultivating a truly dominant personality.
Gutslit demands your attention and respect, especially for lovers of dynamic, riff-driven deathgrind with a modern edge. If not already evident on Amputheatre, it is reinforced on Carnal, and should bring the band the increased momentum and exposure they deserve. Although the element of surprise and rawer, unhinged twist of Amputheatre is slightly missed, Carnal is a consistently solid release, marking another mature, bruising, and high-class entry into Gutslit’s promising career, as the vice-tight deathgrind wrecking ball lands another punishing blow.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Independent Release
Websites: gutslit.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/gutslit
Releases Worldwide: July 7th, 2023
