Devirginated Genital Pulp

What can I say, I just recently downloaded this album a few days ago, and upon listening to it only once did I start searching for the CD (which I got in an order from Epitomite Productions among others). Devirginated Genital Pulp is brutal death metal done correctly, simple as that. Now I hear they sound somewhat like Cannibal Corpse, but I wouldn’t know, because the only Cannibal Corpse song I have ever listened to was the one from Ace Venture: Pet Detective (now I want to put in the DVD, gosh). Yeah, ok so sue me. Regardless, this album is brilliant and extreme, not only does it manage to be that, but the riffing is exquisite, loaded with juicy and killer catchiness.

Now, as other reviews have stated, it is true that you can’t really hear the bass (at least I can’t), but that is so typical in death metal now you can’t really be surprised about that. What this album does do, as I stated, is create some of the tastiest riffing I’ve heard to date. The riffing goes from deep down tuned grinding to high pitched squeals, and this is done frequently in each song. Not to the point that it becomes gimmicky, but they use it in such a way as to break up the different riffs that are strung together. Along with this, there are some solos thrown into the mix as well. Some of them very brief, but regardless, these aspects create a distinguishing character in each song that sometimes is lacking severely in death metal.

I would say my favorite riffing is done on ‘Axe vs. Throat’, which I even find myself whistling when I’m doing my daily routine (or do I mean grind?). The riff is a very catchy buzz sawing kind of riff, and it is repeated on occasion throughout the song. The riffing on ‘Crush the Skull…Consume the Contents’ was also in a similar vein as the previous song I mentioned, fast, thick and memorable riffs. ‘Shit Stuffed and Broiled’ has a brief humorous sample at the beginning lasting only a few seconds, then the pummeling commences. This song also has a really tasty solo that lasts for several seconds towards the end, which fits perfectly and seamlessly out and back into the riffing, excellent!

Another important aspect of this album that must be addressed is the few samples found throughout. I mentioned one of them in the previous paragraph. That particular sample was humorous and very short, the way samples should be. The other two are found on both the opening track ‘Hollowed Out Cunt’ and ‘Her Spaded Anus’ and are not so short. The sample on ‘Hollow Out Cunt’ lasts about 35 seconds, and ‘Her Spaded Anus about one minute, and while entertaining the first time around, aren’t as much so after the first listen. I have been skipping them ever since the first couple of plays. I suppose this isn’t that big of a deal, and doesn’t really damage the album at all. However, had those samples been halved, I think it would have been better. Not to say that this album is too long, because total it only clocks in at about 29 minutes, but that is about the right length for this style of music.

Overall, this album is some very entertaining material, easily keeps me fixated on their mutilated gory riffing throughout the album. Devirginated Genital Pulp is most certainly recommended to all death metal fans, especially those with sick and twisted minds (which might be all of them).

It’s been quite a while since my last review, and I thought I’d give this whole writing business another try. This time I have a classic brutal death metal album from my homestate of Michigan that came out in ‘03. Who says that all reviews have to be done about new ones? There’s actually quite a few good bands that hail from Lansing, Detroit and it’s surrounding areas, such as Intestinal Alien Reflux, Gutrot (R.I.P.), Saprogenic and Nocturnal Fear, just to name a few. However, if I were told which Michigan-based death metal band I enjoyed the most, I would have to say Mutilated (R.I.P.) takes the cake, and I will thoroughly explain to you people as to why I love them so much.

I suppose I should start off with the meat of “Devirginated Genital Pulp“, because there’s no other thing I could ever open with, and the meat would have to be the insanely groovy and thick riffs that are laid throughout this album, and after the short intro to “Hollowed Out Cunt“, you should know by now exactly what you’re getting into. The way I look at the guitar work on this album is exactly what Cannibal Corpse would be in an alternate universe had the Chris Barnes-era never ended. I really don’t want to call this album classic Cannibal Corpse worship, because it definitely has an identity of its own, but you could easily swap out a few songs on “The Bleeding” and replace them with “Impetuous Bloodshed“, “Axe Versus Throat“, and “Lactating Blood” and you would never know the difference. However, I will say that “To Fuck The Rotted” is certainly Mutilated’s “Hammer Smashed Face“.

One of the members that really drew me to this band in the first place would have to be Brian Forgue (vocalist) of the insanely awesome and brutal Gutrot, because his vocals in that band are quite frankly some of the best gutturals I’ve ever heard, and when I saw he had something to do with Mutilated, I figured I would get the exact same treatment. While he does show off his gutturals every once in a while, it seems that Brian has reverted to doing regular death metal growls that emulates Chris Barnes’ old style pretty well. As decent as he is at the generic growls they can actually get quite monotonous rather quickly and I would much rather hear his sick croaking. However, Brian has fantastic timing with his vocals, knowing exactly when to shut his mouth to let the riffs and drums just pummel you, and while in a somewhat predictable-yet-still-awesome fashion, he comes back in to finish you off. I guess if I wanted to hear nothing but his gutturals then just stick with Gutrot or Syphilic.

The only thing that really bothers me about this album is both the lack in creativity when it comes to the Zach Gibson’s drumming and barely being able to hear Qyet Kevin’s bass. The problem with Zach is exactly the problem that Paul Mazurkiewicz has: There is no creativity on their part other than just jamming with what is given to them by the guitarists. Seriously, Zach has done some interesting things in Gutrot, so why can’t he inject some of those ideas into Mutilated? Both bands aren’t that different fundamentally, so the same approach should be able to work in theory. As far as not being able to hear Qyet’s bass, I know the guy isn’t any Alex Webster, and I respect that, but Jesus Christ, why the fuck do bands think putting the bass so low in the mix is a good idea? It’s a fantastic instrument, and when utilized correctly, it can enhance the music to an entirely different degree. Those are my only real gripes about this album, so they are quite minor to how good everything else is.

In the end, “Devirginiated Genital Pulp” is exactly what any brutal death metal fan should be looking for; especially those of you who can’t get enough of Chris Barnes’-era Cannibal Corpse. These guys manage to take the best elements of their former days and multiply them ten fold, and what we get here are some really catchy and groovy brutal death metal. When the local music scene is being populated with shitty deathcore acts and moptop metalcore/screamo girly-boys, I really wish that Mutilated would come back and destroy those worthless fucks with the main-riff of “Hollowed Out Cunt“. Seriously, this is how brutal death metal should be played, and all those other younger bands can really learn something from Mutilated, and you can too.

Wow. This style of deep, crystal clear (yet muddy), ultra-guttural death metal really knocked me backwards. After the full listen, I couldn't help wondering why any more of the countless Death Metal bands pushing forth even more countless albums hadn't taken this odd, yet satisfying approach.

The Vo(kills) on this album provided by Mr. Justin Emery and Mr. Russ Crossman really pulvurized and captivated the listener. Why I say this is because not only were they unfathomably deep and guttural, but they sounded distinctly like the latter half of a particularly juicy belch. You know, the kind where you can hear the voice box issuing forth crackling noises at a mid to slow pace. I was surprised that they got any sound from it at all when backed with the mid to low tuned guitar riffage and pummeling drum sections. The result, with these three very distinct components (purposely forgetting the bass, for it was almost inaudible on this particular album) was a crisp, clear, and yet shockingly muddy production that left you begging for more ultra brutality that cleared your throat as well as neay blew your woofers. Highly recommended for fans of bands like Brodequin, Cinerary, Incestuous, Artery Eruption, etc.

Standout Tracks: Axe vs. Throat, Female Face Breaker, Crush the Skull... Consume the Contents, Shit Stuffed and Broiled, Burnt Off Human Face