Gutworm—Ruin the Memory (2004)

Details

Produced by Greg Chandler and Gutwork. Engineered by Greg Chandler.  Recorded at Priory Recording Studios, Birmingham. Mastered by Denis Blackham at Skye Mastering Studios. Released on Anticulture Records, 2004.

Encyclopaedia Metallum

Band

• Neil Hudson—Vocals
• Lee Mason—Guitar
• Noel Davis—Guitar
• Carl Davis—Bass
• Wayne Minney—Drums

Tracks

1. What you are
2. Loveless
3. Below within
4. Obscure devotion
5. Saturate in sadness
6. Sick inside
7. Blind from truth
8. Incineration
9. Twisted
10. Reborn

Review

It’s a shame that this now-defunct, UK-based death metal/metalcore band  only released two full-length albums (the second being 2007’s Disfigured Narcissus) in their 11 years together. This, their debut, certainly showed promise.

Everything from composition to production comes together nicely to create a solid, extreme metal album. The only thing that’s hard to stomach is the band’s name: Gutworm.

The vocals are gruff, but—as far as near-shouty vocals can—they blend well with the percussion. The guitars and drums complement one another nicely. With lots. Of. Stops and. Starts. Just the way I. Like it.

The band reminds me of Gorefest’s final album Rise to Ruin (2007) in places: it has the same bass-y feel and modern death metal sound. And in my book of metal, that’s a good thing. A very good thing indeed.

Conclusion

A short and sweet review, not least because I’ve got a million and one things to do this week. But this has been an easy album to listen to. File under easy listening? Perhaps not, but it’s great to hear a solid UK metal band. It’s just such a shame they split.

Review score: 80%