The UK death thrash veterans Cancer have returned to give us a lesson in the “Inverted Word”.
Formed in 1987, Cancer joined the ranks of fellow Brits Bolt Thrower & Benediction for being one of the longest-standing OG death metal bands within the underground UK death metal scene. Their debut album “To the Gory End” has now become one of the staples within the bible of most beloved death metal albums worldwide. After a few brief breakups during their time, the band returned in 2013 & released their last album “Shadow Gripped” in 2018.
“Inverted Word” their newest & seventh album is set to be released by the legendary Peaceville shows the band still even after 38 years they have something grotesque up their sleeve.
Opener “Enter the Gates” doesn’t hold back its punches & goes straight in with the brutality from the first note. A heavy chunky riff is in full swing & gets the track grooving early. Drummer Gabriel Valcázar’s kit sounds monstrous right from the get-go. This first track already has a great overall production thanks to being recorded at The Empty Hall Studio with Simón Da Silva, and mixed by V. Santura (Triptykon, Obscura, Pestilence, Dark Fortress, etc) at Woodshed Studio. At the track’s midpoint, the pace picks up to a thrashing headbanger & we get our first lead on the album.
Vocalist / Guitarist John Walker not only gives us a smouldering lead, but his vocal performance is strong & a huge presence straight away. Fitting perfectly in the mix, his deep growling but very clear vocals ooze all over the track in the best way possible.
The album’s title track, “Inverted World”, is nicely put on the A side of the record & is a right bruiser of a song. With a flowing lyrical motif from Walker’s chaos section of agonising scream of said “Inverted World” gives it that horrified style like an Autopsy doomy feel to the track. Bassist Daniel Maganto’s thick, hammer-like tone adds to this track. Giving it a thick backbone & complementing Valcázar’s deep drum sound. The track has these great little flourishes within the riffs that stand this song apart from the rest.
My favourite track on the album “When Killing isn’t Murder” is a real hammer to the skull & has quickly become my favourite Cancer track to date. Right from its opening seconds, its heavy, punishing sound just brutalises you. A great steady tempo lends itself to Walker’s vocal style & drives the heaviness home. If you like your death metal meaty, no thrills & just straight up an assault, this track is for you.
Cancer might have a legacy that spans 30 plus years but as well as celebrating their classic material they are still able to show classic listeners & the generations of fans that there is still a shit load left in their tank.
“Inverted World” isn’t just a fantastic Cancer album, but it stands firmly on its own two feet as a superb modern death metal album & truly blew me away with its brutal production, fantastic songwriting & a truly stellar performance from the whole band.
Review: Joseph Mitchell
| Enter the Gates | ||
| Until They Died | ||
| Inverted World | ||
| 39 Bodies | ||
| Test Site | ||
| Amputate | ||
| When Killing isn’t Murder | ||
| Covert Operations | ||
| Jesus for Eugenics | ||
| Corrosive |