Do you like aggressive tracks, explosive sounds, and thrashing violent vocals?? Well then the new album from California deathcore band SPITE might be for you. "Dedication to Flesh" released in late August and is certain to be your new favorite soundtrack for destruction. While SPITE has been around since 2016, I must say this is the first time an album from them has really caught my attention. With all the things mentioned before- this album is also full of brutal breakdowns and cleverly placed samples to round out the savagery of it while maintaining their known sound.

"Lord of the Upside Down" wastes no time kicking things into high gear with a piercing, lingering guitar chord that sounds like a siren into the end of the world. A track about apocalyptic destruction-exactly how I want a metal album to begin. This track ends in eerie radio static and what sounds like subliminal messaging before hearing crashing high hats in the next track "Caved In". This track is super fast paced spotlighting energetic guitar riffs and rhythmic symbol patterns fit for a circle pit. While the whole album brings a certain sense of anger, "Proper One" does a great job capturing the essence of loathing the world and wanting to leave it. The drum sequence of this track support the emotion of lyrics incredibly well.

We hear our first unnerving spoken sample pulled from The Poughkeepsie Tapes at the start of "Made to Please" that explodes into a barbaric track of rage and revenge. There's even a pause mid-way through this song of absolute maniacal laughter before a killer instrumental breakdown. The next two tracks "Some Things You Should Know..." and title track "Dedication to Flesh" keep the rambunctious, vicious feel of the album while layering in deeper demon-esque sounds and vocals.

We catch one moment of solace with the opening breath of "The Most Ugly", an interesting technically based track that leans into the sounds of black metal before moving back into heavy guitar and drum patterns along with squealing screams to carry us through the next couple tracks of destruction ("Fear", "The Son of Dawn"). Seamlessly we coil into "Sounds for the Descent", a minute and a half instrumental interlude before being slung right back into the grind with "Hangman". Cunning in it's title, we finish with "Crumble"- one final track of anger and detest that leave you in the dirt trying to catch your breath from this wild ride.

Personally I feel SPITE doesn't get quite enough credit- hammering instrumentals, vocals with cathartic lyrics that you can actually understand and scream along to, and eerie periods of discomfort. What more could you possibly ask for from a deathcore band? This album isn't too far from perfect and was definitely a fun listen that I can't wait to visit again.