Cattle Decapitation ‘Monolith of Inhumanity’ Album Review
So this year we metal fans are treated to another offering from American death metallers Cattle Decapitation. It has been three years since ‘The Harvest Floor’, which was praised as one of their greatest albums to date, will ‘Monolith of Inhumanity’ live up to those expectations?
This album is incredibly heavy. Cattle Decapitation have always showcased their music as incredibly fast, deep guttural vocals and intense drumming. This album is no different to their previous back catalogue; ‘Monolith of Inhumanity’ is no different, it is a really work out for the neck muscles. Opening track ‘Carbon Stampede’ sets the pace for the album with break neck speed musicianship and riffs that encourage hair to fly. ‘Lifestalker’ offers plenty of groove orientated riffs to keep the pace in a consistent rhythm where as ‘Forced Gender Reassignment’ offers a explosion of death metal fury.
Musically the album is world class. Josh Elmore’s guitarwork has vastly improved since ‘The Harvest Floor’ offering more solos throughout, for example ‘Lifestalker’ features a very chilling slow tempo solo over Travis Ryan’s chilling vocals. This leads me to the next noticeable aspect to this album; Travis Ryan’s vocal ability. His range of guttural technique is next to none offering the typical guttural lows standard to death metal. Yet what really adds character to his vocal style is the consistent switch to high shrieks to almost chilling whispers that keep the listener hooked. Its Travis Ryan’s vocal ability that really adds the flavor to what this album has to offer.
‘Monolith of Inhumanity’ really is absolute belter; it offers an explosive 42 minute whirlwind of blistering fast death metal featuring grotesque lyrical content to keep you both shocked and fascinated. To some, this album could be considered just another typical deathgrind album but really Cattle Decapitation have offered another blast to the ears.
Score: 9/10
Stand Out Tracks: The Carbon Stampede, Lifestalker, Forced Gender Reassignment
