As I was looking up for a band picture to be added to the AM database, the search term "Rectal Collapse" didn't much bring me those, believe me! Instead I was greeted with a horde of prolapsed rectums in many vivid forms. Also being popular in porn movie industry, which I really don't understand, it's a Brazil death metal band.

While hailing from São Paulo, stylistically Rectal Collapse are very much influenced by North American death metal, and do not sound like coming from South America. Gore was already mentioned, so it isn't surprising that Cannibal Corpse was the main influence noticed. Yes, this legendary band is very often named as an influence, but once again being a downright obvious nominee. Anyway, I smell other bands too, that RC must have dug. The opener has strong mid-era Carcass influences, in its riffing, drumming and double vocals. The title track carries some technical Death stylings, as well as sounding like Deicide for a big part. 'Sacrifice of Terrified Humanity' is a fast song reminding of Dying Fetus' busy tremolo way of doing things. But it can be said, that Cannibal Corpse influence is present on at least 9 of the songs. These fellows surely weren't innovative. While there's some variety, and not just same tricks played over and over again, it's hard to listen to the album at once. It's because the song writing isn't very memorable, but actually it is quite incoherent for a big part.

While riffs are usually more or less sick, at times they also sound merry in a perverse way. Nothing new for gore death metal, this. There are some horror atmospheres, but mainly it's about gory stuff. Riffing styles vary from palm muted chopping to strained open-stringed and even some tremolo "cut to yer bone" stylings. All of the five guitar solos are played by guesting guitarists, and they are all fit in well. The band themselves do some lead guitar work, of course, and it can be heard that they aren't amateurs. Well, they already started in 2000, released a demo in 2002, and this album was the next release from the band. The bassist is well occupied with his clanking and bubbly playing. The drummer presents a lot of different beats, anything from blasting to fast and technical jumpy tempos, and to jazzy playing. The main vocals are an amalgamation of Chris Barnes, Glen Benton and such low growlers. Also some throaty, choking-like bellow and more high-pitched growls and ghoulish voices are heard, often as one upon the other.

Sound-wise this album is organic, but dry. In old school way. The guitars sound rather ripping, but are a bit on the background. The loudest thing is the drums. They sound okay, except for boxy tom drums, which don't possess any sturdiness. The bass is nicely discernible from the kick drums as well as the guitars. It is a band effort, and good for such a thing. You won't find any lovely "rosebud" pictures here, but suitably gory and fumey Rafael Tavares artwork. It definitely gives the album a very professional looks with good-looking booklet design (with lyrics printed). While the lyrics are very detailed at times, they aren't the sickest ones out there. Okay, a child killing theme is always a taboo, but stuff about decaying human bodies and descriptions of killings aren't any news. But then again, what should they tell about, if not about these things?

This quartet did this all for some serious fun. Performances are energetic, even though sounding somewhat diluted by the production job. It's not that I expect something new from a death metal release, but there are so much releases, that Rectal Collapse are just a nice acquaintance and nothing more.

Rating: 6 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/10/2014 18:07