Band's List Death Grind Unburied (USA) Murder 101

In 2008, I was getting sicker and sicker by the day by how many brainless Technical Brutal Death Metal were signed. Then came the New Wave of Old-School Death Metal, and in 2013 I am getting sicker and sicker by the day by how many bands try to be copycats of Immolation, Incantation, Autopsy and Entombed. Meaning that whenever a new OSDM band gives birth to a record, I start shuddering and having herpes. Fortunately for me, Unburied’s Murder 101 will spare me those as, for once, their Death Metal seems to follow a different routine.

First of all, let’s not be confused here. We’re talking Death Grind Unburied and not their Finnish Death Doom counterpart. The band is relatively old since their first demo was released in 1996 but we had to wait till 2008 for a debut and December 2012 for Murder 101.

Since you all love comparisons, let’s just get over with them. Unburied play Death Grind with a definite “n’ Roll” touch, which some may view even as punkish. In between the legendary Repulsion sound and the not less legendary Pungent Stench, Been Caught Buttering era, Unburied will have your feet stomp on and on in no time. The “‘n Roll “ touch is obviously a mix between the vicious and viscous humor of the Austrians and the Punk energy of Repulsion. I may even dare one more comparison with the “funky” bass here that reminded me of Macabre on Gloom. Sure it doesn’t feature the funny choruses of the American madmen but its relentless attacks will lead you there.

Some of the songs though are only ok. Meaning they don’t really add up because the songwriting is only decent. With the kind of sound they chose to develop, I was wishing for more gruesome surprises. It’s sometimes too scholar but the overall result is pleasing and, as previously mentioned, a nice intake of fresh air considering that most of the bands nowadays are uninspired in both songwriting and sound.

Not meant to be the next best thing after grated cheese, Unburied’s Murder 101 does its job: playing a Death Metal record that actually sticks with you for the time it’s played and a record that you’ll actually play without thinking what will follow next in your player. If just for that, those guys, and the label, deserve some praises.