There’s nothing like the return of the old school masters of Euro Death Metal to show the young ones how to do it. Cadaver were actually never ‘masters’ as such, but they do indeed represent the ways of old. Man, I remember listening to their second album of 1992 ‘…In Pains’ and thinking that this was one bizarre record. It still remains so to this day.
Of course following this album, Cadaver went rancid for the following years. On Ice until current guitarist and only original member remaining Anders Odden (or Neddo as he is known) put the band back together under the moniker of Cadaver Inc. They even had their own Murder clean up business card and website established as a marketing tool. Needless to say, the response was overwhelming, so much so that it took away the attention on the bands music. So, here we are some 15 years on since their debut disc, full circle so it seems as the band reverts back to its original Cadaver name.
Necrosis is an extremely interesting album. Certainly, it is not the album I expected from them. In fact, listening to this after hearing 2001’s ‘Discipline’ disc, it’s hard to fathom that this is actually the same band. Whereas ‘Discipline’ marched to the beat of outright speed and blasting mayhem, ‘Necrosis’ is a much more restrained album. Gone is the speed and straightforward song structures that had extremity overriding delivery. In it’s place, we get a more experimental death/thrash album – the pace is much more varied, and the ideas more inventive and creative. Instead of Morbid Angel meets Dark Throne (as was the Discipline album), Necrosis has its ideas rooted in early Sadus meets Voi Vod (circa Killing Technology) meets latter day Dodheimsgard. Instantly that comparison should have you thinking that this album is not only less typical, but infinitely more exciting.
The production also has its hand in the overall impact of Necrosis. At first, I found the sound rather dry and strangely off-putting, but on further investigation, it is clear that it retains an excellent old school quality whilst making sure everything including Apollyon’s vocals are high in the mix. The Guitars have that sharp, angular tone about them, but still raw and brutal for impact. Furthermore, the off-key riffage employed at different times recall that classic Voi Vod style mentioned earlier. I also detected a semblance of melody in the lead lines that Neddo and Balvaz lay down throughout the entire disc. Be certain, this is not an overbearing aspect, but it does give Cadaver’s compositions a different feel and versatility. As for Czral’s drumming – the man flays along in superb style - He may not blast relentlessly as he did on Discipline, but there is enough speed here to satisfy even the most hardened rattle head. The real difference here is that Czral has been forced to change up the pace and vary his attack. For me, it works so much better.
Cadaver may be an old school death metal act, but the shit they’ve constructed on Necrosis comes across as completely fresh and inspired. You’ll get more than a generic run through of current extreme metal on this one. If you’re a fan of harsh, brutal yet thoughtful extreme Metal this is a definite winner. Cadaver really set themselves apart from the crowd with ‘Necrosis’ and it deserves to be placed high on your want list.
- Krozza
(See reviewer's scoring method)
