Band's List Deathcore Placenta (GER) Fixed Action Pattern

Placenta are the latest addition to the already overflowing pot of brutal deathcore currently available in the modern climate. The German youngsters have self produced a devastatingly brutal follow up to the 'Human Abyss' demo with 'Fixed Action Pattern'; a cauldron of aural hatred compromise of brutal vocals, massive breakdowns and huge riffs. But, like most deathcore, is it actually any good?

Well, on first impressions yes. Despite the daft name, opening track 'White Chicks Even Chug a Lug' is a pretty heavy piece of work, smashing through you like a well aimed nuclear missile. The power doesn't let up; massive breakdowns dominate every song and are complimented well by some great riffing sections. It lacks any kind of subtlety, but its difficult to argue with such heavy tracks. Unfortunately the formula begins to wear a little thin over a 14 track album, and repetition begins to appear.

The brutality on offer is both the best point and worst point of this album. As songs separately, the band has created some pretty excellent tracks and most would be awesome pit fillers. But the appeal begins to wear off over the length of the record, and by about track 9 or 10 you begin to tire of it. I think Placenta could be a big success story in European death metal if they can trim the fat from their tracks, and shorten the length of the release. Like grindcore, deathcore suits a half hour to forty minutes length. There's no reason why Placenta can't succeed, they just need to make some minor tweaks to their formula.