Although there are numerous Laceration acts over the years, this one hails from California and has been active since the mid 2000’s. Combining elements of classic death metal with some sophisticated thrash in spots, the four-piece outfit released a series of demos and EP’s prior to their first full-length Demise in 2021. Now aligned with 20 Buck Spin, I Erode as the follow-up proves these gentlemen aim to sharply increase the footprint made on the scene through a stirring set of tracks that are equally intoxicating as they are musically sharp and vicious.
What’s immediately noticeable on the first pass is the potent tones and ideal sound that all instruments receive courtesy of producer Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Gruesome) – it’s crushing yet sophisticated enough to clearly make out the exemplary lead breaks or solid bass/drum rhythm section mechanics at play. When delving into the main hooks or supplementary transitions, you get the sense that everything makes cohesive sense – be it blasting measures, tremolo picking, or mid-tempo to slightly slower ‘groove’ segments. Guitarist Luke Cazares possesses this demonic growl vocally that is very clear next to the progressive thrash/death music – a perfect combination to cause incessant headbanging through highlight cuts such as “Sadistic Enthrallment” and “Carcerality”. Those familiar with deeper thrash artists such as Devastation and Demolition Hammer will understand specific reference points when the band aggressively push those parameters – while the death elements come from a more Morbid Angel, Immolation, Pestilence, and older Malevolent Creation spectrum. Even in the chaotic moments of say the opening instrumental portion for “Vile Incarnate”, there’s an underlying sense of melodic intuitiveness through the subsequent main verses that will sway all thrash/death mavens into oblivion. Donnie Small handles a majority of the lead breaks, and he definitely wields his arpeggio, neoclassical touches in droves to tantalize those heroic accents we all treasure.
The final title track is the longest at almost six minutes – throwing the veritable kitchen sink of what Laceration can do when it comes to blasting fury, mid-tempo groove-laden death, as well as solid thrash movements while drummer Aerin Johnson puts on a showcase for all facets to his dominate kit mastery. I Erode packs quite a wallop in its slightly over 32-minute playback – which could make it a solid contender for album of the year accolades in this field.