Embludgeoned / Human Filleted, split

I do love me some brutal and gory death metal. Both Embludgeoned and Human Filleted bring their own brand of the genre to the table in this split debut for both bands. While both bands delivery their messages of violence with plenty of drum blasts and maniacal riffing, it’s the vocals that separate these guys into two different animals.

Embludgeoned’s half of the disc (tracks 1-6) mixes sound clips in with bloodthirsty riffs and pounding drums that are pretty straight forward. It’s lead singer Matt Tluchowski’s vocals that cause this half of the disc to stand out. He combines indecipherable, guttural growls with this higher pitched, shrill delivery that I can only describe as the death squeals of a pig slowly being slaughtered with rusty razor blades. While it is grating at first the alternate vocal delivery does grow on you a bit — it takes a while, but eventually they seem to fit the rest of the band well.

The second portion of the split release (tracks 7-12) is provided by Human Filleted and they certainly bring the death metal is devastating results. Combining a slower, darker riff fueled delivery with maddening blasts, I feel the band has the better half of the split. My only complaint would be the vocal levels — they’re drowned out in some instances.

Digestion of the Self
Self cannibalization isn’t something that I particularly practice, but I can only imagine what that would be like. Thankfully Embludgeoned have provided me with just the sound scape for the occasion. After a minute long sound clip, the band lets loose with beefy riffs and pounding drums. Tluchowski’s vocals are a combination of deep guttural growls and that squeal I mentioned earlier. It’s a bit to take in all at once, but after a few listens you get used to it.

Cummunion of Christ’s Second Cumming
Another, shorter clip starts off the second track. This one is a bit quicker paced, but shifts smoothly from driving blasts to slower, apocalyptic riff filled portions.

In Darkness Shrouded
I love the opening riffs on “In Darkness Shrouded.” Combined with the drumming and guttural delivery, you’ve got yourself one hell of a death metal track. It’s simply devastating, with some catchy riffing to get you head banging in no time.

Colonic Combustion
The title off this one just sounds like one hell of a horrible experience. The vocal squeal is the primary delivery of choice on this one. The band intermixes some sound clips as well as deep, slower riffs.

A Crown of Flies Upon Her Severed Head
After the skull fuck scene from Full Metal Jacket passes Embludgeoned get down to business. This one is a chugging monolith of a song.

Condemned by Conformity
The final track on Embludgeoned’s half of the split is an aggressive attack on your senses with catchy hooks and skull cracking drums. There’s a nice bit of guitar work through the song that helps separate it from the rest of the disc.

Headless
Human Filleted waste no time getting down to business with “Headless.” It’s a doom filled, riff heavy piece of death metal that’s just down right ferocious. The overall sound is much more raw than Embludgeoned’s material, but no less effective in terrifying the hell out of people. The slower riffing reminds of of Cianide’s The Dying Truth.

Remembering How She Bled
The much quick pace gets us going with this one. Again, my one complaint with this half of the split is the production. The vocals are often drowned out. I like the muddy feel of the band’s sound, but would like to get some more of the vocals pushed upfront. This track had got some real nice riffing and hooks.

Grisly Homicidal Butchery
Dark and demented, the sound on this track is sickeningly brutal. Huge, beefy riffs combined with Kyle Christman’s vocals make for one hell of a song. Kevin Baum’s unrelenting drums are pretty devastating.

Perverse Transmogrification
I’m not sure how much more perverse someones transmogrification (to change in appearance or form, esp. strangely or grotesquely) could get, but if the band’s delivery on this one is any indication, then damn… that’s some nasty shit.

Coffin Birth
The opening to this one is chaotic and beastly. More monstrous riffs and pummeling drums mix with Christman’s growls. There’s a nice groove to this one that doesn’t seem to be as apparent in the band’s previous tracks.

Butchered Beyond Recognition
The final Human Filleted track and last one on the split is just as gruesome sounding as Embludgeoned’s opener. I’ve got to tell you, I’ve really enjoyed this release. Be on the look out for more from these two groups.

~ ~ ~

Both bands deliver sick, brutal death metal with devastating results — monster riffs, pummeling drums and nasty vocal deliveries. Easily one of the more merciless splits you’re find this year — especially for two debut bands. If you like vicious death metal with plenty of gore, you definitely need to pick this one up.

Favorite Tracks:
In Darkness Shrouded
A Crown of Flies Upon Her Severed Head
Grisly Homicidal Butchery
Perverse Transmogrification
Coffin Birth

Additional Notes:
N/A