UMUR
"Dungeon Bastards" is the 5th full-length studio album by US, California based death/thrash/grindcore act Ghoul. The album was released through Tankcrimes Records in July 2016. It´s the successor to "Transmission Zero" from 2011. Ghoul were formed in 2001 by among others members of Impaled and have worked as a side-project for the members for many years. As the members work under pseudonyms like Fermentor and Cremator, and the stage names seem to be passed on when a lineup change occurs, I´m not sure if there have been any lineup changes since "Transmission Zero (2011)".
After a spoken word sample intro from the exploitation styled movie "Rise and Fall of Idi Amin (1981)", the opening track "Ghetto Blasters" kick off with a great mid-paced groove laden heavy riff and rhythm. It sounds like it´s straight out of the mid-80s Anthrax/S.O.D. playbook, but as soon as the track seques into "Bringer of War", Ghoul´s affection for early Carcass is clearly heard. And that pretty much sums up the sound of "Dungeon Bastards". A bastard mix of mid-80s crossover thrash and late-80s/early 90s goregrind/death metal. The vocals are more or less an imitation of the early Carcass vocal style with one raw snarling vocalist and one deep juicy growling vocalist complimented by the occasionally more thrash influenced vocal moment and riot gang choirs.
Ghoul can´t be accused of producing anything original, but on the other hand what they deliver is so energetic, raw, and full of horror/gore B-movie charm/humour, that it´s almost impossible not to find yourself greatly entertained. The material are well written, catchy, and effective, the musicianship is on a high level on all posts, and the sound production is raw, organic, and powerful, suiting the material perfectly. So upon conclusion "Dungeon Bastards" is through and through another strong release by Ghoul and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is fully deserved.