Centinex, Redeeming Filth

Centinex was there at the start. Having formed in 1990, this four-piece — well, bassist Martin Schulman anyways — has seen it all when it comes to Swedish death metal. And yet, the band isn’t one that you think of when conjuring visions of left hand paths or ever flowing streams that disappear into the grave. I’m not sure why that is, but at least with their nineth full-length now available, the band has the opportunity to steal some of that attention.

Redeeming Filfth is one of those albums that opens with the baddest of intentions, then sort of fizzles out before getting its second wind to wrap everything up. It’s not a bad album, but is certainly far from complete. Thankfully, there are handful of tracks here that more than make up for those that lack some punch.

The initial salvo of the opening three tracks is probably some of the most infectious, groove-laden death metal I’ve heard all year. “When Bodies are Deformed” is a pile-driving monster of a song with thick buzzing guitars and unrelenting drums. Through the bludgeoning, seethes an addictive bit of head-smashing groove. Despite it’s repetitious chorus, “Moist Purple Skin” is one of my favorite songs solely for the groove and vocal cadence through the rest of the track. You try listening to it and not slam your head in rhythm with that shit. The final bestial track of the opening trio is “Death Glance” and this fucker roars. The groove takes a step to the side for some thrash infusion to kick your ass.

Throughout the album, but more so in the first few songs, new-ish growler Alexander Högbom (October Tide) belches and grunt with the best of them. His cadence and depth certainly adds an infectious vibe to the malevolence — even through the middle of the album as band ratchets back the speed to a mid-pace gallop.

“Without Motives” sees the pace jump back into the severe cranial trauma realm with more addictive vocal utterances and spine shattering groove. “Rotting Below” channels a little Obituary as album closer “Eye Sockets Empty” revisits what has worked for Centinex thus far on the album — death fucking groove.

All in all, Redeeming Filth isn’t a horrible album. It, like many of its peers, has its faults, but for those that love to sink their rotting teeth into some head-banging death metal oozing with groove and massive riffage, then this one is for you.