CoC : Korpse - Revirgin : Review

Korpse - _Revirgin_
(Candlelight Records, 1996)
by: Alain M. Gaudrault (9 out of 10)

Had I managed to get my hands on a copy of this album while I was investigating the metal scene in Scotland, I'd have claimed, as I do now, that Korpse is easily the most impressive band the country currently has to offer. Their quirky approach blends trippy, groovy elements into a hybrid of death metal and Motorhead-driven speed rock, without sounding like a derivative of any of their influences. This impressive three-piece have managed to successfully blend this concoction into an album capable of convincing your lead foot to take over on an open highway, while lending itself beautifully to bouts of complete THC-induced inertia, and all despite hailing from metal-deprived Aberdeen! The vocals, a subdued airy death growl, at 1st don't seem to fit particularly well with the music's speed rock tendencies, but after familiarizing oneself with the songs, the band's sonic vision becomes increasingly clear and highly addictive. Lyrically, I don't know what to make of Fluff's (bass and vocals, rounded out by Taff on drums, and Sid on guitar and flute) mental scratchings. From the off-the-wall song titles ("Octochoosy", "Milk and Two Salts", "To Be Continued...?", "Vitamin F", "International 1001", etc) to the oft-broken English of the lyrics themselves, Korpse isn't about espousing deep, conceptual ideology, but pure musical feeling, delivered expertly and unendingly throughout all eleven tracks. Candlelight should lay off Opeth for awhile and concentrate on promotion for this trio, who could easily gain sizeable appeal if allowed to reach the metal masses.

(article published 4/2/1997)