Review Summary: Those sneaky bastards from the east return once more to deliver a vicious surprise attack that will leave you reeling. No, this isn't Pearl Harbor part two.
Maggoty Corpse is an old school death metal band hailing from Chiba City, Japan. They formed in 1991, when death metal was just in it's beginning stages. They managed to put out a split and a couple of demos in the few years they were active before fading into obscurity. I just recently excavated their 1993 demo Baptisma" from the grave and I was quite impressed by the beastly sounds permeating from my speakers. Their sound is heavily influenced by the era's stalwarts in Europe and America. Thick, down-tuned riffage and tremolo picking meet guttural growls and ferocious blast beats in an aggressively produced format.
"Baptisma' only has three songs on it but they all ***ing kick ass. Opening with a stereotypically foreboding sample, "Carnale Desideratum soon erupts into a crushing lead riff that will have you whipping your head back and forth instantly. The song is simultaneously heavy and catchy without gaying out into prog or rainbow sprite inspired synth passages. The guitar sound for the demo is pretty straightforward. Maggoty Corpse opt for the tried and true battering ram approach where they just beat your head in with rhythmic chugging, tremolo picking and fanatic soloing. Production is raw and dirty which helps lend a grimy feel to the bestial death metal that's being played.Tempos are generally fast but at times slow down, invoking the best of death/doom with dirge like progressions.
Vocals are pretty filthy. They are performed in the traditional "old school" way and by that I mean satanically deep, unintelligible and low pitched. Maggoty Corpse don't bring anything new to the table but do they honestly need to? They perform the traditional death metal template so well. It's simple, effective and engaging. The drums and bass are often times hidden through the thick layers of distortion and punishing guitar tone but they get the job done. Religious samples are integrated into the demo for better or worse. Church bells, crying babies, choir singing, etc. I will say that I am rather entertained by "Pagana Caerimonia's transition from a blasting death metal sequence to harmonious choir singing in some kind of twisted way.
This E.P is highly recommended to those who enjoy death metal. Whether you're a seasoned, battle scarred war vet or a fresh faced entry level poof that's just getting out of his "Djent" phase, you should find something to like about this.
