Ultra-technical death metal, sometimes called grindcore, seems to be gaining in popularity these days, and one of the current leaders is most certainly Relapse Records' Cephalic Carnage. Anomalies is a potent brew of raging death metal, doom, jazz-fusion guitar virtuosity, and bits of aggressive hardcore. In addition to the relentless drum attack which is literally jaw dropping, there's plenty of crushing riffs, blinding solos, and a full-fledged varied vocal delivery of guttural growls and high pitched screams. In other words, Cephalic Carnage know how to mix things up. The out of the control insanity of "Wraith" recalls The Dillinger Escape Plan, but heavier, and "Counting The Days" features some meaty Crowbar type riffs but with an added dose of complex passages from the drums and guitars. In fact, the band go full speed ahead into the stoner genre on "Piecemaker", a groovy and grinding piece with crunchy guitar riffs and fairly clean vocal shouts that recall the New Orleans scene. There is also a fair amount of prog-rock riffs and arrangements here as well, like on the dizzying "Dying Will Be the Death of Me", with its intense guitar interplay and manic rhythms, the moody and atmospheric "Inside Is Out", featuring some nifty jazz guitar noodling, and the 9-minute adventure of "Ontogeny Of Behavior". This last piece, the album closer, mixes brooding prog with Rush-like guitar textures, clean spoken word vocals with tortured shouts, and a crashing crescendo.
Cephalic Carnage have had a few years to hone their craft and make their mark on the extreme music scene. With Anomalies, they have taken the next step. This is fresh, exciting music, complex enough to attract a progressive crowd, heavy enough to satisfy the headbangers. Their next release should be monumental.
Track Listing
1. Scientific Remote Viewing
2. Wraith
3. Counting The Days
4. The Will Or The Way
5. Piecemaker
6. Enviovore
7. Dying Will Be The Death Of Me
8. Inside Is Out
9. Sleeprace
10. Kill For Weed
11. Litany Of Failure
12. Ontogeny Of Behavior
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