Review Summary: What's that smell????
The new(ish) fad in death metal of injecting a hardcore attitude, breakdowns and an overall crusty feeling has been a mixed bag to say the least. It sounds like a cool concept but if not done correctly can come off as boring chugging with no substance. Gatecreeper’s new album comes to mind when it comes to a downright drab mixture of said genres. 200 Stab Wounds was on their way down that road. Their debut was decent but ultimately fell into the same traps of being “fun” with little substance. Traps that bands like Creeping Death and PeelingFlesh seem intent on avoiding while mashing death metal brutality with the emotion and energy of hardcore.
Manual Manic Procedures shows a band displaying growth in every possible way.
200 Stab Wounds maintain their crusty hardcore-esque production values but the main difference is in the sheer riffage that this album presents. It’s mostly a mid paced affair, same as the debut, but there is no mindless chugging present here.
Manual Manic Procedures is almost melodeath in nature, with a plethora of catchy riffs that will live in your head for days on end. I don’t know how the writing process went for these guys, but my guess is they were heavily influenced by bands like Cannibal Corpse and At the Gates. The subtle intricacies of the melody tinged chords mixed with the sludgey production, tight drumming and phlegm inducing vocals is a recipe for success.
Sophomore albums can either show bands expanding on their sound or failing to live up to expectations after a great debut. The former is true of
Manual Manic Procedures. 200 Stab Wounds have cut all of the fat from their sound and honed in on what can make them a great death metal band. This album is equipped with a muddy atmosphere and melodic buzzsaw riffs aplenty. If you like riffs, you’ll like
Manual Manic Procedures.
