Active ascension up the ranks due to quality releases backed up with energetic live performances (over 250 under the belts at the time before release), western New York artists Undeath have reached their third studio album for More Insane. When all the major components present themselves as far as riffing, variant tempos, intuitive transitions, and explosive vocals, it’s more a question of refinement to drill deeper on those key elemental details that keep consumers happy. As far as death metal goes, this quintet understands the balance between memorable songwriting next to impressive musicianship and brutality – a combination next to satisfying creative hunger to pay huge dividends long-term.
The sophisticated bass play from Tommy Wall propels certain songs into that extension of Steve DiGiorgio / Alex Webster scale of importance – characterized in the instrumental / hook accents for “Sutured For War” and the tumultuous head-ripping title track. As guitarists, Kyle Beam and Jared Welch push themselves in a chess war between punishing caveman riffs, left field bends / runs, killer lead play plus the occasional melodic passage. The first single “Brandish the Blade” chugs along in that diversity as parts build to tremendous payoffs, the mid-tempo breakdown midway through sure to gain some devil’s horns appreciation next to the tradeoffs/harmonized lead break. Beyond his obvious skill set as the band’s cover artist, drummer Matt Browning also flexes tremendous tempo fluctuations, going from blast beat madness to Lombardo-esque insane fill spots next to his normal death duties to make “Disputatious Malignancy” and the marching to the grave-like “Wailing Cadavers” immediate favorites. Over the top of this deadly destruction / horror-oriented lyrical content – of which “Disattachment of a Prophylactic in the Brain” could be my song title for this year – you have the expressive vocal prowess of Alexander Jones, who can growl, scream, and melt paint off walls as the best frontman should do in this style.
Continuing the trend of ‘less is more’ at a perfect just under 34-minutes runtime, More Insane showcases Undeath in that comfort lane where people know what they’ll get from this act – a tremendous affinity and passion for all facets of death metal. The intertwining of influences from Autopsy and Bolt Thrower to Cannibal Corpse and Obituary plus the occasional classic rock / metal nuance taken to the modern followers could allow this act to be a firm headliner very quickly.