SCALPEL hails from Hanson, MA. and I guess you could say they fall in the Death / Grindcore / Gore Metal category somewhere. The cover art is a red and black torture chamber scene, full of various devices capable of inflicting excruciation and death, and guts galore! It gives me some ideas for how to decorate my yard for Halloween this year.

The opening track is entitled "Ripe" and somehow I don't think they are covering the topic of apples and bananas. The guitar work isn't bad, the bass is kind of muffled and can only be heard when nothing else is going on. As for the vocals, not a chance of understanding a single lyric here, so hopefully they are included with the official CD for those interested. Some of the music in the earlier part of "Ripe" made me think of DETHKLOK. I wonder if that was intentional...

The next song is "Gutmulch". Seriously now, who wouldn't want to make their yard prettier and healthier by adding a bit of Gutmulch? After that, they can have a picnic in that yard. They can invite "The Exterminator" with his specialty: "Human Slaw", they can wash it down with "The Black Juices" and then for dessert, the "Mincemaster" can make a pie! (What is up with these song titles? Ah, they made me laugh!).

I like some Death Metal, but overall, I couldn't really get into what I heard from SCALPEL's "Sorrow And Skin". There are some occasional good guitar riffs and now and then some SLAYER and old MORBID ANGEL influences can be heard. That is basically the only saving grace. I really wish I could say more, but I just can't. This just isn't my musical preference overall. Fans of Death / Gore / Grindcore Metal might appreciate it better than I. In fact, I'm sure of that. Nonetheless, they seem to enjoy what they are doing. I definitely get that vibe from the band and I say: more power to them!