Goregrind is a style, that bands succeed in making it, or then not. Or then it's just my brain that thinks, that there are only two possible extremes in that genre. This takes us to Malaysian goregrinders Sickness. Having two demos and an EP behind them, Sickness got their debut full length album 'Necrosymphonies of Necropsy' released by Grundar Production last January. This happened a decade after the previous release.

Brainy cover art suggests, that Carcass is a familiar band to Sickness guys. Collage of pathological photography, the album and song titles, and even the band's logo are in vein of that legendary British goregrind band. Sickness aren't the first one to do it, and will not be the last ones, either. Well, it reads on the label's website, that "heavily influenced by the goregrind godz Carcass, all their material were based on Carcass' first cult release 'Reek of Putrefaction', from image to songwriting, to even sound." Yeah, the echoes sent by that groundbreaking 1988 release, plus next year's 'Symphonies of Sickness', can be heard on 'Necrosymphonies of Necropsy'.

Ancient sounding synthesizer intro and its excerpts from some forensic autopsy document (various of these can be heard during the album, as well as some synthesizer around here and there) instantly remind of another Carcass classic, 1991's 'Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious'. However, when Sickness get into action, it's those older Carcass platters, that these Malaysians sound like. The production is, in a word, ugly. That does not mean, that it is bad. It is just perfect for this kind of noise. Every instrument is well audible in the mix, but this badly lacks of bassy, lower end.

Just like Carcass, Sickness too are able to pen some catchy goregrind. Sickness shift from blasting insanity to more rocking grooves, but never miss the point. They got the riffs, they got soul. It is waggish, how these certain kind of riffs bring images of gore and pathology in mind. You know, the smell of rotting flesh, unbearable gas emissions, and all belonging to death. Riffing is hammering or ripping, with some more rocking bits here and there. Not quite 'Swansong' (1996), though... There are also some steps towards more melodious guitar playing, but do not expect anything like on 'Heartwork' (1993). Sometimes it is punky, sometimes it is not. The guitar solos heard in three of the songs are named. Now who too named them..? Anyways, majority of the riffs are memorable, if not exactly original.

Generally, the playing here is not technical, but vulgar. It is filled with energy and vibes. The vocals sound beastlike, or then like if the guy gurgling them out was in a very bad medical condition. Like pus flying from his mouth when growling and wheezing. The lyrics are detailed stuff about medical states, dead people, and... Well, gore! Not to forget, there's some black humour.

In all, the band have managed in creating a morbid atmosphere here. Every song isn't like the other one, so this offers some good variety with the style the band have chosen. There are a couple of lesser songs on offer, but that cannot bring down the fact, that this is pure entertainment. If the Brits who have been mentioned in this review belong to your favourites, you should give Sickness a try, really, because I've heard much worse Carcass worship that I hear on 'Necrosymphonies of Necropsy'. Grind on!!!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/05/2013 19:08