Wurm Flesh // Teratogenic Malformation // EP Review

Sacramento’s death machine Wurm Flesh is back!

In 2014, Wurm Flesh spearheaded the next generation of brutal death metal with their 2018 release “Excoriation Evisceration”.
A twenty-five-minute slab of the most violent & punishing BDM of the year.

Now after a brief hiatus & line-up change the band is back & gearing up to unleash the next chapter in their unmatched brutality.

The new lineup sees original members vocalist/guitarist Rob Calhoun and drummer Mitch Bauder, who are now joined by Bo Rogers on bass and Joe Salazar on guitar and backing vocals.

Their newest release “Teratogenic Malformation” is three tracks of pure ruthlessness. The EPs opening title track grabs you by the neck straight away. In a tornado of fast but catchy riffing & frenzy drumming it has you on the hook instantly. When Rob Calhoun unleashes the track quickly becomes chaotic yet groovy with its back and forth with chugging patterns & blistering double bass-filled blast beat sections.

As the track builds in intensity it reaches its last minute where the track really opens into this breakdown section that gives you a moment to breathe before its full power is unlocked & ends on a blood-soaked dime. The perfect way to open up this E.P

Next up “Defenestration” is one of my favourite things a BDM band can do. Implement a heavy groove & catchy element throughout the track. The opening track would tease you, but this second track, it had me banging my head throughout. One of Wurm Flesh’s greatest strengths is they can write complex riffs but still give them this raw, organic feel that your ear can catch onto quickly & become memorable so easily. The drumming on this track by Mitch Bauder is superb too. Even giving him a brief break section so hear a great drum fill with these tribal deep tom hits that echo & really give that raw & primal feel.

Closing track “Viral Consumption” is a just under three-minute showcase of the technical power Wurm Flesh holds. This track really lets guitarists Rob Calhoun & Joe Salazar off the leash. Their tones work so well together but the interplay with them both really give a great dynamic to the songwriting. And within this track, they have saved the most putrid & viscous riffs until last. This track is like a runaway freight train with its back & forth of fast & slower chugging sections.

“Teratogenic Malformation” it’s a fantastic next step in the catalogue of Wurm Flesh & A preview of what’s to come with their next full length in 2025. It scratches that itch for the fast riffing styles of modern BDM like Devangelic & Stabbing with the older style of breakdowns & punishing elements of Suffocation & Devourment.

Review: Joseph Mitchell

Wurm Flesh – Teratogenic Malformation

Brutal Death Metal will be released via Comatose Music July 26th