EP REVIEW: 魔經 – Demon Scriptures – Ripped To Shreds

RIPPED TO SHREDS is an intriguing project. A solo outfit with American death metaller Andrew Lee handling everything from composition to recording performance – with the assistance of session drummer Kévin Paradis (BENIGHTED) – the band also features a full live line-up. Based in Taiwan. An odd set-up for sure, but if it works, it works. Determined to keep his Taiwanese contingent busy with an ever-expanding set-list, Lee has just released the debut EP from RIPPED TO SHREDS, 魔經 – Demon Scriptures, which follows 2018’s well received debut 埋葬 and the three track demo released earlier this year, Eight Immortals Feast. Already developing some clout in the underground death metal scene, how does 魔經 – Demon Scriptures stack up against the demo and debut full length?

Opening the EP with one of two more traditional death metal offerings, 喪家 (In Mourning) comes in hard with more than enough old-school sensibilities to keep the die-hard purists interested. Doomy elements make way for up-tempo, grinding aggression coupled with tortured vocals before RIPPED TO SHREDS drop back into the slower groove. True to the thrashy roots of old-school death metal, Lee drops in flourishes of shreddy goodness throughout. The third track on 魔經 – Demon Scriptures, 株九族 (Nine Familial Exterminations), keeps the classic feel Lee established with 喪家 (In Mourning),flowing, though here we see him drop much of the death/doom influence, going straight for the jugular. Breaking up the old-school assault, RIPPED TO SHREDS drop in the 48 second, grindcore influenced 江湖郎中 (Pseudoelixir). Short and abrasive, this is Lee at his most visceral.

With 江湖郎中 (Pseudoelixir) clocking in well under a minute, and the two more traditional offerings standing around the three/four minute mark, closing song 日月神教第一節 (Sun Moon Holy Cult Part 1) commands an impressive 57% of the total length of the EP at an epic ten minutes, 42 seconds. Though the doomier, more AUTOPSY inspired side of old-school death metal was hinted at on 喪家 (In Mourning), here we see RIPPED TO SHREDS delve fully into the gloom. With a dirge-like pace making way for full-blown savagery, solo work that falls under the category of “stunning” and the strongest sense of atmosphere thus far on 魔經 – Demon Scriptures, 日月神教第一節 (Sun Moon Holy Cult Part 1) showcases a display of incredible songwriting, sonically dancing between a funeral procession and a murder. The inevitable “Part 2” has a lot to live up to.

For a four track EP clocking in at just shy of 19 minutes, 魔經 – Demon Scriptures covers a hell of a lot of ground from blistering old-school death metal to grindcore to death/doom in its most epic form. On paper, this should sound unfocused and confused – the reality, however, is that the EP proves to be one of the most fun releases so far in 2019. Masterfully composed, wonderfully executed and thematically fascinating, RIPPED TO SHREDS are an outfit to watch. Fans of old-school death metal would do themselves a great disservice by sleeping on this.

Rating: 8/10

魔經 – Demon Scriptures is out now via Pulverised Records.

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