When it comes to the death metal genre, there are so many avenues you can go down with your sound as a band. And my favourite is the very memorable riffs, big hooks & bouncy chugging style of the 90s bands such as Six Feet Under, early Cannibal Corpse & Obituary.
So when Corpse Water came across my path, it had me so intrigued & within my first listen I was lapping it up.
Formed as a studio project by Peter Clarke (Strangle Wire) on vocals, guitarist Adrien Crozet (The Crawling), bassist Lost Brethren (Lost Brethren) & rounded out by drummer Mike. Corpse Water is a perfect modern take on a time capsule of that great brief period in death metal when bands used heavy riffs with a ton of groove to create not only something brutal but also something instantly humable & memorable.
The band’s debut album “…something in the water” (a reference to the Cecil hotel death, I believe) is nine tracks, so some of the best death metal that is straight to the point that I’ve heard in some time.
The opening track, “Blood High”, doesn’t worry itself with intros or gently settling the listener in; no, it goes straight for the kill. The first time I pressed play on this track, it honestly gave me a heavy vibe of the first Six Feet Under album. Invoking the heavy riffing style of guitarist Allen West & the thunderous bass tone of Terry Butler, which Adrien Crozet & Ant Deane have captured really well. This might be a studio project, but it still has the soul of the 90s recording. Everything has room to breathe.
The drumming in the first track shows that Mike’s abilities cover all bases. Whether it’s just a straight simple groove or it’s using heavy toms & bass drums on the second track “Spontaneous Human Combustion” opening section to really set the tone of the track. Everything from great blasting to working with the stop & starts of a guitar riff, these drums are killer.
“Those Of The Obscene” is a real showcase for vocalist Pete Clarke. Everything from the transitional lows to double layers higher screams creates a great blend of early Chris Barnes & the fury of Glen Benton, but through his own filter, creating a haunting yet punishing tone.
Also, it must be said that his vocal performance has excellent pronunciation, so throughout the album you can pick up most, if not all, of the lyrics, which adds to the album’s overall brilliance. Hey, there are some vocalists we like just for the vocal gymnastics they do, but I love it when a vocal performance can grab me just like a good pop song can, just under a death metal filter. And Clarke has the ability not only to create a great sound, but his timing & focal placement don’t go unnoticed.
My standout & favourite track on the album, “You Can Scream, It Won’t Matter,” plays to the band’s overarching songwriting strengths really well. Opening with an eerie feel and a lone dissonant guitar, the track then opens with big, open chords that give it a grand, epic feel. Slowly introducing a groove underneath it all as Clarke has a great vocal follow.
As the track hits the chorus, the band leans into the groove aspect of their sound & it catches you straight away. Using the track’s title as a lyrical hook works superbly. This track feels like an instant classic on first listen. There have been times I’ve just revisited this track alone, as I’ve had the chorus hook in my head for the day & needed to listen to it, ha. Yes, it’s that good.
As the album reaches its end, the closer “Traumatised” still keeps the vibe & tone high. It’s also my second favourite on the album—a very stripped-back track with a ton of balls & swagger. Ant Deane’s bass tone shines on this track. Feeling, somehow, like a thud to the chest, but also clear & high with precision. This track feels like a bulldozer, heavy, unrelenting, & won’t stop until the job is done.
“…something in the water” is truly a remarkable album. I’m lucky to hear a lot of new death metal, but it’s rare when a band takes me back & relights my love for the genre. Corpse Water has been able to do that. Now I’ve spoken a lot about the influences on the band’s music, but it’s not just about nostalgia with these guys. You can try to replicate a sound or vibe, but unless the songwriting is strong, it won’t come together. Well, Corpse Water has superb songwriting.
The number of moments within the album that are instant earworms, vocal hooks & some of the simplest yet groove-laden riffs that caught me off guard. Creating an album that has gotten daily spins from me since having it for a few weeks. It grabbed my attention & has held it since. If you love classic death metal from the bands I’ve mentioned in this review & want to support a band doing something exciting, please give this release a listen. You will not be disappointed!
The countdown is on …Something In The Water arrives May 22nd courtesy of Grindscene Records.
Review: Joseph Mitchell
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