Review Summary: Euphoria in evil
In a genre where the sole incentive can simply be to push the envelope of musical extremity and shock value, things can quickly become deluded and fairly uninteresting. In a sea of immature face-smashing corpse-f
ucking ‘goregrind’ bands, few intend to transcend the bounds of novelty. However, existing at the very depths of Japanese counter-culture beyond even the most repulsive of musical acts, you will find a mysterious group with an ineffable lust to relish in the psychological madness of all things sickening and perverted: Catasexual Urge Motivation.
Formed in 1992 in Tokyo, Japan by brothers Yuzin and Tomoaki Kanai, Catasexual Urge Motivation (named with the intent to be abbreviated as C.U.M.) describe their music as "cyber grinding death metal" and are generally considered to be the originators of ‘cybergrind.’ There are no synths present on the album, rather, C.U.M. are notable as being pioneers with the use of a very electronic-sounding drum machine. This is a very deliberate and wise choice made by the pair, as it becomes a significant driving force in their sound. With its wildly syncopated and frantic patterns, and unusual array of sampled hits, the drum machine is never intended to recreate the sound of a human musician but instead is an intentionally cold and emotionless tool to be used for a specific purpose.
Instrumentally speaking,
The Encyclopedia Of Serial Murders is not a technical album by any means. Technicality is ditched in lieu of sludgy, lurching riffs contrasted by frenzied bouts of grindcore insanity. The guitars are caked in layers of filth and mud, yet possess a surprisingly distinct tone. It’s obvious that impressing the listener with guitar prowess is not at all the intention behind the compositions. The riffs present are extremely direct and to the point, looming along at a menacing pace. The production itself is equally dirty and dark. Yet despite the lo-fi production, everything is very well defined and audible in the mix, and there is an impressive attention to detail in the programming and arrangement of the songs. Subtle sounds and samples often linger quietly in the background, just short of being decipherable.
Where this album most importantly exceeds is in the vocal delivery, boasting some of the most unique performances in all of extreme music. C.U.M. ditch all preconceived notions of death metal and grindcore growls, and showcase a varied and almost-constant dual vocal bombardment. Amongst the myriad of vocal ranges present, the two most notable styles include a deep and bellowing snarl, and a wet, shrill, blood-curdling whisper. These two styles, each likely performed by one brother, play off of each very successfully throughout the record. The unparalleled vocal dexterity displayed is what excels this album to its most deliriously repulsive heights. One of the strongest performances present is featured on the track “Bleeding for Spermqueen”, in which everything is slowed to such a point that we are left with nothing but vomit-gurgling groans, interrupted by sudden euphoric howls that are seemingly euphoric in their delectation of filth and evil.
The Encyclopedia Of Serial Murders manages to succeed in its clear purpose and in its deliciously ecstatic indulgence of all things sickening and deplorable. The Encyclopedia Of Serial Murders exists far from the standard brutish murder-worshiping music associated within the genres of gore and cybergrind. The Kanai brothers take a more intelligent approach, striving to explore and illustrate the psychological motivations behind a completely diseased and corrupted mind. In a style where things can very easily avoid being taken seriously, Catasexual Urge Motivation manage to create a disturbingly believable journey into the mind of the sick and twisted.
