CoC : Exhumed - Anatomy Is Destiny : Review

Exhumed - _Anatomy Is Destiny_
(Relapse Records, 2003)
by: Jackie Smit (7.5 out of 10)

There are very few bands who can lay claim to influencing a genre as much as English gore-grind grandfathers Carcass. With a seemingly never-ending stream of acts either shamelessly emulating or borrowing heavily from their sound, the many attempts at capturing their essence has continually done little more than confirm their timeless genius. Of course, for every three substandard Carcass imitators, there have at least been some noteworthy and enjoyable efforts -- a fine recent example being Aborted's latest _Goremageddon_ record. Exhumed's latest platter for Relapse Records easily stands shoulder to shoulder with the aforementioned album in providing the listener with an enjoyable reminder that _Necroticism: Descanting the Insalubrious_ was, and forever will be, one of the most important death metal records of all time. With Neil Kernon (evidently on his way to becoming the next Scott Burns of extreme music) at the helm, the Stateside quartet plough through eleven slabs of uncompromisingly brutal and relentless extremity with the dexterity and skill you'd expect from a band more than a decade into their career. "The Matter of Splatter" is absolutely scorching, and its Dying Fetus-type dual vocal attack raises the aggression levels to heights attained by a very select few. "In the Name of Gore" is made conspicuous by its more contemporary feel and outstanding soloing, though at no point is it ever any less vicious than any preceding numbers. Unfortunately, bar these commendable numbers, one would be hard-pressed to recall any other specific highlights or outstanding moments. As good as the album is overall, it bludgeons the listener without leaving much in the way of a lasting or permanent impression.

(article published 15/8/2003)

CHATS
25/10/2000	A Bromley	Exhumed: Gory Details From the Exhumed Cult
14/3/1999	A Bromley	Exhumed: Madmen of Mutilation

ALBUMS
12/8/2001	P Schwarz		Exhumed - Slaughtercult