CATTLE DECAPITATION — Karma.Bloody.Karma (review)

CATTLE DECAPITATION — Karma.Bloody.Karma album cover Album · 2006 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Karma.Bloody.Karma" is the 4th full-length studio album by US, California based grindcore/death metal act Cattle Decapitation. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in July 2006. It´s the successor to "Humanure" from 2004 and features the exact same lineup who recorded the predecessor.

While the music style on the early releases by Cattle Decapitation were grind influenced death metal, stylistically the scale had tipped a bit more towards death metal on "Humanure (2004)", although that album still featured plenty of grindcore elements. On "Karma.Bloody.Karma" the scale tips even more to the death metal side of the band´s sound, but there are still bursts of blasting deathgrind featured on the album.

"Karma.Bloody.Karma" is what I´d characterize as a pretty creative death metal release. Cattle Decapitation were (and are again on this release) a pretty unique act because of their animal rights/anti-human lyrical themes and image, but the music is also in the more unconventional end of the death metal/deathgrind spectrum. The vocals are a combination of deep growling and higher pitched screaming, which as such isn´t that special, but lead vocalist Travis Ryan has a powerful and commanding delivery, which works perfectly on the album. The instrumental part of the music is loaded with creative and unconventional guitar riffs and at times also rhythms, and Cattle Decapitation at all times make sure that their listeners are kept on their toes. This is very extreme and very busy music, and definitely not an easy listen, but given a few spins it´s abundantly clear that these guys have a unique vision for how their music should sound and be presented.

The material on the 12 track, 40:44 minutes long album aren´t always particularly memorable and not all tracks stand out, but there are some pretty remarkable tracks on the album which deserve a mention like "Suspended in Coprolite" and "Alone at the Landfill". The latter for example features a haunting ambient closing, which is quite effectful, and it is often when the band slow things down, that they create their most memorable moments. The chaotic deathgrind moments are also great and played with skill and conviction, but those sections just aren´t as catchy and memorable.

"Karma.Bloody.Karma" features a raw, dark, and brutal sounding production, which for the most part suits the material well. A little less "cardboard" sounding drums, and a more powerful guitar sound could have elevated the production to a higher state, but it´s alright and effectful as it is. Upon conclusion "Karma.Bloody.Karma" is the next logical step in the career of Cattle Decapitation. Moving away from grind and closer to death metal while maintaining their experimental/adventurous edge is working well for them here and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Deviance Deathcore
ASHES INTO BLOOD
Buy this album from MMA partners
Equilibrium Atmospheric Sludge Metal
BESRA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Tension Between Rot And Genesis Sludge Metal
ANTHESIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Recycle Brain Crust Punk
C.P.G
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cartography Of The Mind Deathcore
TETHERED
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Besra – Unsullied (Music Video)
BESRA
Bosh66· 10 hours ago
Tethered - Breathe (Official Video)
TETHERED
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Saltwound - Walking The Blade (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER)
SALTWOUND
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Saltwound - The Negative (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
SALTWOUND
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Saltwound - Drowning feat. Taylor Barber (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
SALTWOUND
Bosh66· 1 day ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed