Metal Briefs: Bandcamp, Part 4

The Slam Death Edition

Slam death is a much-maligned subgenre. Oddly enough, the problem people have with it seems to be that it's simple and refuses to change, even though those characteristics are often praised in other circles. Or maybe it's the dumbed-down, over-the-top violent lyrics, but again, that's often seen as a positive in other areas. But what's great about it is that it's just good, clean fun. You don't have to think too hard about it to enjoy it. I owe it to Metallattorney for finding these three bands. All of them use programmed drums, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker.

Extinctionist: All Flesh Must Be Eaten (2009)

Extinctionist is a German slam band who crush all the right bones. Their songs are brutal and technical while still managing to sound disgusting, helped along by the occasional pig-squeal vocal or devastating slam. Samples and guitar solos serve to break things up. It's far from high-brow, and that's just how slam should be, and the programmed drums don't sound too bad. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.




Carbonized Gnawing Mandible: Harvested and Disposed (2011)

Carbonized Gnawing Mandible is a slam band out of some undisclosed location in the USA. What they have going for them on Harvested and Disposed are some weird rhythms, a cool Swe-death inspired guitar tone, and some sci-fi sound effects in the background. What they don't have going for them is anything else. The production is quiet, which wouldn't be so bad, but it's also inconsistent. Aside from the programmed drums, the band rarely gets the timing right. And overall, it's just not that interesting across the whole album. I give it 1.5 out of 5 stars.



Amputation Spree: Addicted to Beheading Children (2010)

The hilariously named Amputation Spree released a free EP with the equally hilarious title Addicted to Beheading Children. The North Carolina one-man band opens it up with an extended Dawn of the Dead preview, and goes into a simple, mid-paced style of slam that's guttural and satisfying. The programmed drums aren't great, but the total package is fun. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.