BLOODSPOT is a German band with heavy roots in Thrash Metal, though they also have elements of Death and Black Metal as well. Then they add some Doom Metal as well. BLOODSPOT does their best to defy convention and blaze their own trail. Founded in 2006, "The Cannibal Instinct" is their fourth full-length album. The release was through Reaper Entertainment on March, 21, 2021.

There is no hesitation at the beginning of this record. There is no instrumental intro or gentle lead-in. The record starts with "The Testament," an all-out assault on the senses. The vocals come in harsh and the drums immediately start a punishing pace that is meant to show the listener they should expect no mercy. The rhythm is rapid-fire and the guitars are heavy.

Though most of this record is performed at a blistering pace, "The Cannibal" is an exception. The opening is a doom-laden shift into tonal ecstasy. There is the heavier section across the chorus, amplifying the song with some typical BLOODSPOT sounds. This song really works. The variable tempos and rhythms end up being one of the best on the record. The chugging riffs through the heavy sections really hit the mark. This song just oozes excellence.

Many bands would have led with "The Cure," a quick instrumental with vocalizations underneath, giving it depth and weight. BLOODSPOT instead use it to transition from the gloom of "The Cannibal" to the faster, heavier "The Flood". It's a great way to ramp back up to the more thrashy end of their repertoire. The placement of the songs works well in this sequence.

"Vielfrass" is another of the really fast songs, using a lot of double bass drumming and making the bass player earn their keep. The guitars are both dark and ethereal in different sections. The tempo shifts are well executed and timed to fit the song well. This is one of their best songs technically. Another good example of a band that knows what they are doing in both the writing and performing realms.

The album wraps with "Deadline Story," another gloomy toned song that has some nice shifts in guitar work and rhythm changes that highlight technical proficiency in composition and performance. The faster sections are not overdone, ramping up some, but not running away and leaving the rest of the song behind. Instead, the song works well as a whole because the shifts feel natural, not forced.

BLOODSPOT is a a good band that obviously knows their way around their sound. They own it. They aren't looking to find themselves; they know just who they are. It gives the record a sense of identity. The vocals are harsh, the guitars and guitarists are a tight pair that work very well together. The rhythm section is solid, laying down a foundation that holds the whole thing together. Overall, an impressive effort from a really good band.