CoC : Rotting Head - Backwardness : Review

Rotting Head - _Backwardness_
(Shock Wave Records, 1997)
by: Adrian Bromley (7 out of 10)

Sick and ruthless grind core in the vein of mid-career Napalm Death. The quality of this material is good, considering that this band has only really released one demo before setting out to record a full-length LP. Tuned-down guitars and heavy drums lace Rotting Head's 12-song effort with some real jabs of adrenaline. The combination of intense blast beats and grind core rhythms seem to escalate the groove of the band to a point where you are beckoning for the onslaught to stop. I really dig this, but there are a few setbacks. While they have the intensity down pat, their music seems to radiate a simplistic quality. It's memorable to some degree, but nothing sticks out or shows diversity. Good production and deliverance can be found on _Backwardness_, but the music seems to be sitting in stagnant waters. Adding more of a varied guitar sound might just help this band go from 'standard' grind core / death metal to a contender in the fast-paced, eat 'em up world of metal music. A band to look out for.

(article published 5/2/1997)