During the late years of the 80s and early 90s, a phenomenon arose in the Metal scene: extreme bands with Christian lyrics as MORTIFICATION and VENGEANCE RISING. No, the matter isn’t about God or Devil, and nor about stupid ideas laid by musicians that time hardened as rules, but that Christian acts showed that Metal is for everyone (the idea I personally agree and defend), no matter religion, ethnicity, genre, nationality or anything else than music. And if you’re addicted on Grindcore and Death Metal, “Salvation Syndrome”, the latest full length of MANGLED CARPENTER is for you.

The trio from Monterey (CA, USA) lays its foundations and personality into the most classic paths into Death Metal and Grindcore in a way that can make your ears ring for days easily, and it’s not a sin to say that acts as EXHUMED, NAPALM DEATH, MACABRE and others have a crush on the band’s music, but some groove parts can be heard as well (pay attention to “Lumberyard” and you’ll hear them). But as well, it depicts a strong personality and a massive tsunami of energy comes from it. It’s not technically intricate, but’s not a ‘one-two-three’ thing as well, and it bears a kind of sickening mood as well. All these words are merely to say that this album is truly very good to be heard.

Produced and engineered by Seth Metoyer (the band’s guitarist and vocalist) at Broken Curfew Studios, Monterey (CA), the sonority is defined and brutal, with the band using massive and sickening instrumental tunes on a define sonority that allows everyone to hear and understand what they’re expressing. And Seth did the cover art as well, and it is really disturbing, but with excellent traces and colors contrasts. And as guests, here are Chris Ackerman of BETRAYAL on the vocals on “A Path to Sorrow”, Jason Wisdom of BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE on “Spit Parade”, and Rob Clark on “Receive Him”.

Musically, these guys are creating offensive and charming songs that are hard to resist, and as best moments of the album (as it could be said that there are best moments on it), “Lumberyard” (very good guitar arrangements on such massive Death Metal brutality with fast drums parts and Grindcore traces with some groove moments), “A Path to Sorrow” (a sickening song with massive weight in a Groove Death Metal sense, again with Grindcore traces and with very good vocals and backing vocals, with contrasts between grunts, clean voices and snarls), “They Already Know” (a brutal and oppressive moment with excellent slow parts, depicting the influence of North American Death Metal on their music, with excellent guitar riffs), “Salvation Syndrome” (be prepared to be bombarded by a set of excellent faster parts), “Severed” (excellent high-pitched screams contrasting with the guttural grunts with catching instrumental parts and excellent blast beats), and “Faith Delusion” can fulfill such duty, but don’ dare to leave “Spit Parade”, “J.G.S.H.” (an old MORTIFICATION song) and “Receive Him” aside.

“Salvation Syndrome” is really an excellent release, and MANGLED CARPENTER deserves praise for its musical efforts and contributions. If you’re a ‘devil-worshipper-that-sleep-with-lights-on’, you’ll be complaining anything to justify your (wrong) ideas; but if you’re a Death Metal fan, this album is for you, a kind of ‘must have’ one, indeed.