Succumb To Rot

Corpsessed

CORPSESSED is a Finnish death metal band who formed in 2007. "Succumb To Rot" is […]
Corpsessed - Succumb To Rot album cover

CORPSESSED is a Finnish death metal band who formed in 2007. "Succumb To Rot" is their fourth full length album or third if you're not counting a re-recording they did of their first album. They also have two EPs and a split album under their belt. This hellish and nasty band is well known for their brutal death metal that also happens to be atmospheric. Their dim and dismal melodies, acid drenched riffs and their overall dark atmosphere gives them a somewhat unique sound. I reviewed their previous album, "Impetus Of Death," and gave it high marks and my opinion of the album has only risen over the years—I still play it regularly and if I reviewed it today, I would rate it even higher.

How does "Succumb To Rot" compare? It is a different album in some ways yet it still sounds like CORPSESSED. The new songs are certainly shorter, as is the album's overall length. "Impetus" needed the longer compositions because it was definitely filled with doom elements. "Succumb To Rot" still has that doomish, haunting atmosphere but the overall direction of this album is much more straight forward and bludgeoning.

There isn't anything wrong that line of thinking and the hidden beauty of CORPSESSED' song writing is just how evil and alien they are no matter how they present it. Have you see Event Horizon? The hellish dimension that's hinted at but never shown? That's the same place this album is from. Chaotic. Violent.  Inescapable because in infiltrates you to the core. The album sets up the nightmare with the title track, which is lifted up with a slow, grinding groove. The production/mixing is noticeably better on this album, the instruments stand out more individually.

As soon as the title track/intro ends, "Relentless Entropy Begins," and this song is a much faster experience but doesn't leave out a low end that rumbles and shake the foundation of my brain. The echoes on the vocals are a welcome addition, not going overboard but instead adding another layer to the raw insanity. The lead guitars is subtle at presenting melody but expertly makes it as lifeless and dim as its perpetually darkened surroundings, thus opening up their sound while complimenting the overall feel. Starting at the 3:00 mark, the song takes a doom approach and settles on a series of slow, choppy riffs. Very well done.

"Calling Void," begins as a battering rim, with the drums especially being a siren call to urgency. The guitar and bass are fast but thick with dense, suffocating notes. But no one wants to live forever so the band once again returns to fetid waters around the 1:24 mark...the guitar tone at this moment is sick as hell, as the guitar solo. The whole song feels like an out of body experience where you see yourself being beat to death with hammers. The final track is "Pneuma Akathartos," is the longest on the album, giving the band plenty of time take a deep dive into the sounds presented across the previous tracks. Mid paced tempos, speedy passages, and slower moods are all mix together for a wild musical tapestry of rotting filth. The mid section is my favorite part where, coming out of a hammering splattering of riffs, the atmosphere becomes cold as death as the growls weave themselves into the very essence of the song while the instruments hit with deadly purpose. Then the band rushes on, ripping your face off after they just finished holding it under deep waters.

"Succumb To Rot," is another musical tale from CORPSESSED that shows why are one of the most haunting yet nasty death metal bands around.

9 / 10

Almost Perfect

Songwriting

9

Musicianship

9

Memorability

9

Production

9
"Succumb To Rot" Track-listing:

1. Succumb To Rot
2. Relentless Entropy
3. Death-Stench Effluvium
4. Spiritual Malevolence
5. Calling Void
6. Sublime Indignation
7. Profane Phlegm
8. Pneuma Akathartos

Corpsessed Lineup:

Jussi-Pekka Manner - Drums
Jyri Lustig - Guitars
Matti Mäkelä - Vocals (backing), Guitars
Niko Matilainen - Vocals (lead)
Tuomas Kulmala - Bass

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