Gortuary-Manic Thoughts of Perverse Mutilation
(Sevared Records, 2008)

Pummeling doesn't quite convey just how destructive and intense the death metal played by Gortuary is. Intricate yet brutal riffs are on display in massive quantities and the band switches between high speed blasts and more rhythmic tempos quite effectively. There is a hint of the New York style of death metal here, but this is much more go for the throat and the rhythmic riffs aren't overused by any stretch of the imagination.

The vocals are beyond guttural and if you can pick out one word here without the lyrics sheet I would definitely be surprised. The mammoth sounding vocals match the intensity of the music perfectly. But before you think this is just another guttural blasting death metal band there are a few surprises here. For one the melodic guitar solos definitely come as a surprise. Guitar solos in this genre typically are mainly just lighting quick runs and whammy bar dives. Both are used but they are used in between more thought out passages.

One problem with the album is the somewhat lacking production. It certainly conveys the energy of the band but during the blasting moments the mix is a bit drum heavy leaving some of the clarity in the riffs lost. That said the album is easily enjoyable and offers a blasting mix of early Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus and the current style of death metal as well. With a clearer production the ear damage this band could cause it staggering to think about.

Unburied-Slut Decapitator
(Metalbolic Records, 2008)

If you are familiar with underground death metal chances are you have come across the name numerous times. Although the band has been together since 1994, this is actually the band's debut full length album. Well worth the wait, the album is a slab of barbaric and simplistic in nature death metal that brings back fond memories of the mid 90's underground death metal scene. Forget about the ridiculously technical death metal of today. This is fast and blistering yet the band uses riffing that is dark in tone and very old school in nature.

Tempo changes are also quite common and the band uses a lot of tempos that are not really used in death metal these days. There are a lot of middle of the road tempos that actually utilize groove to great effect. It reminds you of the days when death metal wasn't all about blast beats and breakdowns. Blasting is indeed here and quite often at that but never to the point of monotony. I like the fact that the band really doesn't have any formulas for their songs. The songs are all built on similar ideas but each song has key riffs that help separate the songs.

I also like the fact that Unburied keeps the songs rather short and sweet. Aside from one song which is over 4 minutes, most songs are in between a minute and a half and three minutes. This really allows the band to keep the energy level high and because of that this is an album that will keep your interest quite easily. There is no filler here, just song after song of primitvie brutality that comes highly recommended by yours truly.

Austrian Death Machine-Total Brutal
(Metal Blade Records, 2008)

On one hand this is a completely ridiculous concept and album yet at the same time it is one of the most entertaining albums I've heard in a long time. Basically Austrian Death Machine is a tribute to all things Arnold and while this may be a side project from the vocalist of As I Lay Dying, it certainly isn't half assed and doesn't sound like a side project at all. I'll be the first to admit that I am a huge fan of Arnold movies and hearing GET TO THE CHOPPA being screamed basically just equals fan to me. You haven't heard anything until you've heard Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers being screamed.

While the skits in between songs and the lyrics themselves are somewhat light hearted, the music itself is quite blistering. It is somewhat similar in nature to As I Lay Dying but more straight forward and more thrash based. The songs were put together quickly yet it really doesn't sound like. The riffs have an intimate quality that makes them instantly memorable. Take for instance a song like I Am A Cybernetic Organism, Living Tissue Over (Metal) Endoskeleton, the chorus is just ridiculously catchy and of course you know already that the song is about The Terminator. But this is a perfect example of the band putting a lot of care into the songs as this chorus alone makes the album worth listening to.

While being a fan of Arnold movies will definitely help you appreciate that side of the band more, the fact remains that regardless of the lyrics and concept of the band this is a an ass kicking metal record through and through. The songs are energetic barn burners that have much more depth than you might first expect from a light hearted album of this sort. If you like Arnold movies and metal then this one is a no brainer.