After spending yesterday wandering through the dark outskirts of death metal, today I return safely home into the welcoming arms of the death metal I know and love: old school death metal. Considering “old school death metal” is an umbrella term itself these days, let me be more specific: grinding gory old school death metal. I’m talking about the platters of splatter that were served specialties of bands like Carcass, Repulsion, and Impetigo circa 1989. Considering Carcass has since moved onto greener melo death pastures, Repulsion hasn’t released any new music in 30 years, and Impetigo disbanded in 1993, it’s up to the brave and bloodthirsty to keep such audio terror alive. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
That’s where Cadaveric Incubator comes in. Hailing from Finland, home to such deadly legends as Demilich, Convulse, and Rippikoulu, Cadaveric Incubator keeps it simple with their uncompromising, unrelenting, and ungodly brand of death metal. There’s no melodic undertones. No technical virtuosity. No cerebral atmosphere. No blackened elements. This is the type of death metal that I could imagine cavemen beating each other over their heads with clubs to. And I say that with nothing but the utmost respect.
Nightmare Necropolis kicks off with the blistering “World Necrosis”. Towing the line between punk and grind, “World Necrosis” is filled with blasts and d-beats as far as the eye can see, or in this case, ear can hear. Throw in a healthy dose of putrid riffs, buzzsaw bass, and vomited vocals, and you know shit’s about to get filthy. “Blood Lust” recalls the finest moments of Repulsion, while “Necropolis” thrashes and bashes around, much thanks to a gnarly breakdown. “Sarcophagidae” ties together all the elements of Cadaveric Incubator into one disgusting track. There’s grind, punk, thrash, and even an unexpected doom section. Fear not death metal maniacs. The “doom” I’m referring to is that in the vein of Celtic Frost and Dream Death. You know, the kvlt kind.
The second half of the album bulldozes right along with the Impetigo inspired “Sickly Obsessed”. My choice cut, “Through the Flesh”, is the thrashiest of the bunch, proving that you don’t have to be a cringey 40 something year old screaming about pizza and beer to get the pit started. No, sometimes all it takes is a simple mosh riff played with the intensity of a crazed zombie. “Frenzied Hatred” lives up to its name: a frantic grinder that tests one’s headbanging abilities. It all closes out with the crushing “Coffin Defiler”. On this final assault of deadly torment, doom is incorporated yet again to devastating effect.
Clocking in at a little 30 minutes, Nightmare Necropolis is a masterclass in menacing, maniacal metal of death. Besides being simply outright repulsive, Cadaveric Incubator has the riffs and attitude to back it up. Leave your amateur Entombed worship at the door kiddies. The big dogs are here and they’re taking no prisoners. You better watch your back. You might be next on these Finnish freaks’ hitlist.
8 out of 10
Label: Hells Headbangers Records
Genre: Death Metal
For fans of: Carcass, Repulsion, Impetigo