It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what type of music that Slamophiliac is going to come up with, but that’s certainly not an issue. Brutal, slamming death metal does take a certain mindset after all, so why not advertise to it? The band originally started out as a joke band (hence the name) but grew into something more serious after the release of their first album, Aborted into Absolute In-Existence.
One might notice the lack of gore on the cover, usually a trope for the genre. This carries into the lyrical content as well – provided you can make it out through the usual gurgles and grunts. The lack of excessive gore cliches does earn the band a pat on the back for going against the well-treaded ground of their peers. However, outside of that lyrical step into the abstract and more thought-provoking content, you are left with the same level of brutality you’d imagine to find based on a band with the name Slamophiliac. Massive slams countering bursts of speed, with the afore-mentioned gurgles provide the quintessential image of the genre, for better or worse. To the band’s credit though, the songs are well-written and never feel like a forced effort in attempt to write something to entertain between slams. The groove is catchy and infectious at times (see “Eternal Disappointment”) and everything is very cohesive, even if the elements are familiar.
Outside of taking the lyrical high-ground, so to speak, Perihelion is everything you’ve come to expect from the slamming death genre. It’s not a bad thing by any means, but it’s nothing that’s going to change your perspective on the genre by giving it a listen. But for those who love the slam, Slamophiliac is going to be worthy investment.