DYING FETUS


"War of Attrition" (Relapse Records; 2007)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Death metal merchants Dying Fetus hop back to their former selves, leaving trails of carnage in their path with the release of the eight-track "War of Attrition."

Keeping their ballistic brutality razor sharp, groovy, and crushing, tracks like "Homicidal Retribution" and the tumultuous tour de force called "Unadulterated Hatred" simply rip through your speakers with measured menacing maliciousness, complete with unearthly vocals, blistering blast beats and blinding riffs that will make your neck ache and your head explode. 

Bouncing back to true form while stripping down to bare essentials (they're now again a quartet), Dying Fetus demonstrates why they have kept their rank as one of extreme metal's elite outfits on the bombastic "War of Attrition." 

Neck brace and physical therapy not included. 

For more information, please visit http://www.dyingfetus.com


"Stop at Nothing" (Relapse Records; 2003)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Veteran death metal troupe Dying Fetus return to the studio after a three year hiatus with "Stop At Nothing," an eight track journey into grooving, grinding, guttural metal. This Maryland-based outfit, originally formed in 1991, has undergone lineup changes and its share of ups and downs, yet the band has  persevered and continues to put out grueling metal that consistently satisfies the underground metal militia's insatiable appetite. 

Proving that America, too, can be a potent place for extreme music, Dying Fetus crank out some of the better crafted extreme metal, mixing in blast beats and guttural utterances with their trademark death metal groove. 

While this may be a bit too accessible for the most ardent headbangers, there's no denying that Dying Fetus is still a force to be reckoned with.

For more information, please visit http://www.dyingfetus.com


"Destroy the Opposition" (Relapse Records; 2000)

Reviewed by Kate Smith

Dying Fetus is one of the tightest goregrind/death metal bands out there. Their latest album, "Destroy the Opposition," completely blew me away. Compared most easily to old Cannibal Corpse, these guys bring a new style of death metal with crushing guitars and double-pedal drums at back-breaking speed that makes it very heavy but offers diversity.

The dual vocals of John Gallagher and Jason Netherton (who will be sorely missed!) add a dimension to the music that's been missing for awhile. The lyrics are intelligent and deals with the  problems of society that catches the listener's interest. 

Dying Fetus has taken two styles of music and made it their own. If you haven't gotten it yet, shame on you!

For more information, please visit http://www.dyingfetus.com


"Killing on Adrenaline" (Full Force; 1998)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Dying Fetus have played some of the biggest metal festivals yet still remain largely unheard of. A quick listen to "Killing On Adrenaline" should change that. Dying Fetus' brand of technical death metal for the masses has a thrash metal undertone that results in a satisfying blend.

Like a laceration that never heals, Dying Fetus is an open wound that makes you hunger for more in this on-going exercise in brutality. "Killing On Adrenaline" is tasteful combination of speed, corrosive vocals, thrashing riffs, and out of this world drumming. Occasionally, Dying Fetus adds super-fast grinding riffs, but not to the point of being overdone.

Every track is a metal fan's dream come true. The title track, "Procreate The Malformed," and "We Are Your Enemy" are killer tracks and highlight the band's tight approach which has developed over many years. If "Killing On Adrenaline" doesn't convince you of their stellar musicianship, their live show will erase any doubt from your mind. 

Dying Fetus may just be the best band you've never heard.

"Killing On Adrenaline" was produced by Dying Fetus and engineered by Steve Carr.

Dying Fetus is Kevin Talley on drums, Brian Latta on guitar, John Gallagher on guitar and vocals, and Jason Netherton on bass and vocals. 

For more information visit http://www.dyingfetus.com/ and do not, I repeat, do not miss Dying Fetus when they play live.


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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Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04 Mar 2024 13:27:27 -0500.