Rough Edge: Cadaver CD Reviews

CADAVER

"Necrosis" (Candlelight USA; 2004)

Norway's Cadaver got their start in the late '80s but by the early '90s got lost in the overwhelming tidal wave that was Norwegian black metal that held court throughout the mid '90s through early '00s. After a brief run as Cadaver, Inc. the band has simply switched back to Cadaver and have simplified their music accordingly.

I am extremely guilty of dismissing almost anything death metal related, although classic death metal has been a keen interest of mine in recent months. So I was surprised when less than 6 minutes into Cadaver's latest effort "Necrosis" I was grooving right along with it.

In order for a death metal band to capture my immediate attention it has to be technical (i.e. Nile) or at the very least groove-laden (Suffocation). Cadaver fit neither of these poles but somehow manage to be very riff-oriented and catchy (that's right, I wrote 'catchy' while referring to a death metal band). Most death metal bands stick to a tried a true formula as it relates to the genre and then stick to an even more narrow formula as it works for the band. This is not the case with Cadaver's "Necrosis." Everything from traditional death metal to black metal leanings, to seemingly punk-inspired intensity, to a revisit from Cadaver's slightly techno past on "Heartworm" color "Necrosis" from one track to the next.

So you're saying to yourself "Is Cadaver really old-school death metal?" And I say "Yes it is, but it's so much more." It's not often that I'm even slightly impressed by a death metal band but I'm impressed by Cadaver's "Necrosis" even if it isn't going to change my opinion of death metal as a genre.

Necrosis" was produced by Bjorn Boge.

Cadaver is Apollyon on vocals and bass, Neddo and Blavaz on guitars, and Czral on drums.

For more information visit http://www.cadaverinc.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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