CADAVER — Edder & Bile (review)

Album · 2020 · Death Metal

4/5 · 2021-03-18
UMUR

"Edder & Bile" is the 4th full-length studio album by Norwegian death metal act Cadaver (the 5th if you count the 2001 Cadaver Inc album album as part of the band´s discography). The album was released through Nuclear Blast in November 2020. It´s the successor to "Necrosis" from 2004, so it´s been a 16 years long wait for the fans of the band. Only guitarist Neddo (real name: Anders Odden) remains from the lineup who recorded the predecessor. He also handles lead vocals and bass on "Edder & Bile". Neddo has enlisted prolific drummer Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth, Aborted, Scarve, Soilwork...etc.) to complete the duo recording lineup for the album. Massacre vocalist Kam Lee and Possessed vocalist Jeff Becerra make guest vocal appearances respectively on "Feed the Pigs" and "Circle of Morbidity".

Cadaver have never released the same album twice and in that respect "Edder & Bile" isn´t any different from its predecessors. The 2001 Cadaver Inc album featured a blackened edge to the old school death metal sound, and while "Necrosis (2004)" in some ways continued the blackened element, it was more of a relentlessly aggressive and frenetic in nature old school death metal release. A really raw album that one. "Edder & Bile" may also be a highly energetic, brutal, and aggressive old school death metal release, but it´s overall slightly more sophisticated and varied than the last two albums by the band. Not as avant garde and progressive as the material on "...In Pains (1991)" (the band´s second full-length studio album), but still obviously written and performed by composers/musicians who know what is effectful and what works when writing a death metal tune.

Featuring 10 tracks and a total playing time of 31:25, "Edder & Bile" is short and sweet. Not a second is wasted or redundant and every riff, every snarling vocal part, and every rhythm part serve a purpose. Highlights include the opening "Morgue Ritual", the Kam Lee-led "Feed the Pigs", and the heavy mid-paced album closer "Let Me Burn". "The Pestilence" also deserves a mention for being an ode to Dutch death metal legends Pestilence and for using and twisting the main riff from their classic track "Out of the Body" from "Consuming Impulse (1989)" (Pestilence second full-length studio album). Any track from "Edder & Bile" could have been mentioned though, as this is through and through a catchy and memorable death metal release, featuring an almost perfect balance between old school death metal brutality/authenticity and technical finesse.

The musicianship are on a high level. Neddo is a skilled guitarist and his snarling blackened death metal vocals are well performed and features a caustic aggressive edge. Verbeuren takes the prize here though. His performance is on an incredibly high techncial level, but still very tasteful in execution. It´s no wonder so many people mention him among the greatest contemporary extreme metal drummers. If you were ever in doubt if all the praise holds true, just take a listen to this album...

...his playing is further put in focus by the rather distinct sounding production and drum sound choice. The drums feature a powerful yet rather odd sound, but it´s a sound which suits the material perfectly and every drum hit is clearly heard in the mix. The guitar tone is perfect too. Raw, menacing, and sharp, as are the vocals. It´s one of the more original/unusual death metal productions I´ve heard in a while, but it should only be understood as a praise coming from me. Upon conclusion "Edder & Bile" is a more than welcome comeback for Cadaver. Hopefully it won´t take 16 years before we hear from them again and hopefully Neddo will be able to convince Verbeuren to contribute next time too. A 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is fully deserved.