May 8, 2008 | | 3.5

Atrocious Abnormality, Echoes of the Rotting

If there’s one thing besides the music presented in the brutal death metal genre that brings a wickedly evil grin to my face, it’s the band names. Atrocious Abnormality certainly have the name under control and the eleven gut shredding tracks on Echoes of the Rotting prove the band can hang with the most brutal and sickening in their genre. Yet, contained within this albums guttural, indecipherable growls, crushing riffs and manic drumming is an underlying groove and technical aspect that not only surprises, but delights like fresh blood pouring from open wounds.

Hailing from North Carolina, the trio meld your basic fury of brutal death metal with a technicality more often found north of the border in stop/go of Canadian deathcore. Crushing rhythms and groove really set this debut release apart, even from the more established bands in the same genre. Steve Green’s vocals teeter on the demonic as his guttural growls and screams give weight to the band’s lyrical content. Adding to his roll as lead growler, Green also handles the crushing riffs and leads for the band. Filling in the rhythm section are bassist James O’Neal and drummer Brent Williams — the two combine to great effect, leveling the competition and providing crushing blasts when you least expect them.

Dead In Sixty Seconds
Atrocious Abnormality begin their terror filled romp through 11 tracks in just 30 minutes with the thick, bruising “Dead in Sixty Seconds.” The album’s opener is merely an intro of what you can expect as the three piece tear through bludgeoning riffs and rhythms with demonic fervor.

Punished Humanity
“Punished Humanity” is where we first hear Green’s guttural delivery and some of his catchy hooks and riffs. The rhythm section provide a bone crushing base for Green to groove off of. The indecipherable growls and gurgles come into great effect during the chorus as huge breakdown style riffs join in. There’s a nice explosion of chaos just before the three minute mark. The track ends with a sound clip from the movie Slither.

The Birth Of Violence
A great series of catchy riffs and triggered drums get this one moving along before the vocals enter. The track gets fairly technical quickly, with impressive guitar work and nicely timed drums. There are also some nicely layered dual vocal screams during the chorus that give the track depth and variety.

Raped Apart
“Raped Apart” starts immediately with guttural growls and crushing drum work. The riffs are maniacal and unrelenting as multiple screams permeate the air. I love the thick bass work that comes through periodically in this one — a catchy as hell groove will have you banging your head like a mad man. Severe tempo shifts will have your spine twisted at 90 degree angles by the time the track is complete.

Bastard Spawn
Chugging rhythms open up this next one at a quick pace. the 1:10 mark sees a brutal slow down and crushing riffs. Atrocious Abnormality quickly brings the pace to sonic speeds and back again throughout this one.

Beyond Obliteration
Pile driving drums cave in your skull at the start of this next one as guttural gurgles come in. There are some real nice moments of galloping drums and groove filled riffs before the band settles into a maniacal death march of sorts right before the one minute mark. The track ends with some chugging riffs and final growl.

Euphoric Flesh Consumption
I love the slower, more methodical approach to the start of this one. It’s got some Cannibal Corpse inspired guitar highlights before descending into gut wrenching drums. the 1:10 mark sees a great series riffs and drumming to accompany a nice bit of growls. At 3:45 in length this is the longest track on the album.

Open Wound Penetration
“Open Wound Penetration” is more than enough of a descriptive title to give you an idea of what this one is about. It starts with a brief sound clip before the bruising begins. There are some pretty technical portions of rolling drums and creative guitar work. The 2:25 mark sees some nice drum work and riffing. The track ends abruptly.

Mommy Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight
This one is a Misfits cover, turned on it’s ass and presented as brutal death metal. The huge scream at the :35 mark before the band erupts is awesome. Overall, it’s not a bad cover.

Vicious Perversions
A series of tempo changes and riffs start this next one off as the growls come in. There’s also an amazing bit of groove to this song. The slow down at the two minute mark is pretty beastial and tinged with a violent hate.

Echoes Of The Rotting
The title track ends out the album with creative drum work and steady riffs. The drums and rhythms are the key for the appeal of this track. Green carries a nice cadence with his delivery throughout that adds to the song’s flow.

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In terms of brutal death metal, this is one hell of a debut. It’s got crushing guitar, bruising rhythms and that genre defining guttural vocals delivery, but it’s the technical aspect to the band’s sound that helps separate it from their peers. I can’t wait for more from these guys.

Favorite Tracks:
All of them

Additional Notes:
N/A