October 16, 2008 | | 3.5

Fetid Zombie, Abort the Messiah

After listening to the last release from Fetid Zombie, I think I was expecting more of the same — chugging riffs, pitch shifted vocals and the funky bass lines that drives their unique sound. What I got instead was a solid and positive shift in the group’s overall sound. Sure, the monster riffage is there. The funky bass tracks are there. The lyrics dripping sacrilege and gore are still there as well, but there’s much more to this four track EP than I heard on the Zombie’s previous work.

Abort the Messiah has a much more raw and driven sound than its predecessor. It’s more aggressive, more violent and down right unruly to say the least. The pitch shifted vocals seem to have disappeared for the most part, falling more into a supporting roll. I’m digging the shift in the band’s direction. The more natural growls and grunts make for a more honest sound as Fetid Zombie rupture internal organs on every track with a flailing, rusty chainsaw of gore filled death metal.

Abort the Messiah
The EP’s title track explodes after a short sound byte with chaotic drum blasts and evil guitars as layered vocals come in around the :30 mark. Either there are now two vocalists in the band or someone’s been working on their range — and to great effect. The more natural, varied delivery is a killer shift in the band’s sound. The grooves are still there as are the great rhythms.

Ride the Goat to Jerusalem
I love the opening guitar work and massive drum blasts as this next one tears its way through the gates of hell with a ferocity not heard on the previous releases. The layered vocals are evil as fuck, but match real well to the catchy guitar work and infectious rhythms. I’m definitely digging this one.

Entrails of the Divine
Mmmm… steaming, holy innards. “Entrails of the Divine” has a sound similar to the band’s last album, but quickly separates itself from that sound with catchy guitar work and slick tempo changes. The layered growls and other sounds give this one some rich depth as the riffs chug along.

Citadel of Sickness
The final track on the EP starts off with catchy, galloping riffs and a steady rhythm. More layered (some pitch shifted) vocals come in just after the one minute mark. Again, for brutal death metal Fetid Zombie really know how to carry a groove through pummeling drum blasts and evil leads.

~ ~ ~

I became a fan of Fetid Zombie after reviewing their last album, Pleasures of the Scalpel, but I think I more prefer the shift in direction that they have taken with this four track EP. Abort the Messiah carries the gore flag high on a blood crusted inverted cross, but also steps up the song writing and delivery measurably. If you like your gore with some groove, you’ll want to check out this disc.

Favorite Tracks:
All of them

Additional Notes:
N/A