This is Devourment's much anticipated release after they reunited upon Ruban's release from prison.
This cd starts off with an eery audio clip, and breaks suddenly into a brutal sonic assault on the album's title track. Fans of the band would be very pleased with this brutal start. Mike's vocals soon come in adding that classic Devourment gurgling sound. While this is all good, it begins to get old very quick.
With a seemingly over-produced sound, the distorted guitars and blast beats wear listeners ears down quickly. One can tell that Devourment tried to go for something new in this venture but ended up with only mediocrity. The vocals fail to be as menacing as Ruban's or Wayne's, and the songs offer very little variation. Each song tends to bleed into each other and at the end of the cd listeners would be left wondering where each song ended and where others began.
One of the greatest treats that Devourment tried to give fans on this release was a rerecording of their classic song "Babykiller." Most that have heard of this band probably first heard that song and were intrigued by the brutallity and obscurity of the lyrics. Sadly, this song pales in comparison to that which is featured on Molesting The Decapitated. The band seems to overdo it with making this new version something special and to remember. The breakdown that comes in around 2 and half minutes is no longer a part to remember but just now blends into the rest of the song with nothing really sticking out.
While I am a loyal fan of Devourment, after listening to this album I am only left wondering what could have been with a better mixing job that wouldn't have made every song just a harsh wall of sound. The album could have been so much more if the guitars were more distinguishable. Mike's vocals could also use a little work. I just can't help but miss Ruban and Wayne's vocals while listening to this release. Also, the drumwork is a bit subpar in parts and dampens the album a bit.
A few highlights of this album are the songs "Serial Cocksucker", "Tomb of Scabs", and "Autoerotic Asphyxiation" which seem to break some of the monotony and bring back that brutal groove of the old Devourment.
Butcher the Weak is a must for fans of Devourment, but some may find themselves disappointed in the release.
