CoC : Tenebrum Infectus - Tenebrum Infectus : Review

Tenebrum Infectus - _Tenebrum Infectus_
(Adipocere Records, 2004)
by: David Rocher (6 out of 10)

Sadly, after checking out this French foursome's inept moniker and their self-titled debut's typo-ridden tracklist and pointlessly vulgar artwork, I hastily tagged Tenebrum Infectus as another most likely uninteresting grindcore act surfing in the wake of delirious French grinders Gronibard or Ultra Vomit -- when in fact, in spite of their openly stupid lyrics and song titles (e.g. "Gays Fuck Like Christians", "Pig's Sodomy at the Herta's Farm", "Vagina Sickning Pussy" (sic.), etc.), Tenebrum Infectus offer solid, well written and competently interpreted grinding death metal, along the lines of a growling monstrosity spawned by Dying Fetus, Brutal Truth and Nasum. Although this self-titled release is excessively short, clocking in at only 31:07 (and that's including four live tracks), it at least provides an entertaining surge of blasting, raucous brutality; in addition, the multimedia section of this CD (which appears as "Piece of Ham" when inserted in your CD-ROM drive) comprises two videos, including a rather absurd 21-second clip featuring two slightly overweight women and a rather randy swine -- yes, the farm animal. Although this side-project does provide some amusing moments, I do fear that this whole humorous metal shtick is wearing thin at the knees -- especially at a time when the extreme scene seems to be sinking into a trivial tar pit of musical dullness.

(article published 8/3/2005)