DECREPIT BIRTH — Polarity (review)

Album · 2010 · Technical Death Metal

3.5/5 · 2012-02-12
Conor Fynes

'Polarity' - Decrepit Birth (7/10)

Although death metal now spans across the globe, it is still very much alive and well in its homeland, good ol' America. From California, one of the genre's pioneering US scenes (the other being Florida), Decrepit Birth have brought in the new millennium with a very impressive, technical approach to the style. This 'tech death' angle has picked up much momentum over the past decade. Generally, this style is becoming more and more distinct from the more traditionally aggressive sound of 'classic' death metal. With an often overbearing focus on complex, yet soundalike riffs, and blatantly mechanical production, tech death has rarely appealed to me outside of its classic context. That's where Decrepit Birth come in; although they indeed fall in line with the 'tech death' scene, the quality of their work here on 'Polarity' has me look past the weaker aspects, and take it for what it is. Suitable to my tastes it isn't, but 'Polarity' is one of the best modern tech death albums I've heard.

The guitar is the central aspect of almost all metal, but the presence and importance of the guitars in Decrepit Birth cannot be underestimated. For better or worse, the songwriting almost entirely revolves around the wizardry of guitarist Matt Sotelo. The other musicians are obviously audible, but there isn't a moment on 'Polarity' that goes by where there's any question what drives Decrepit Birth. Of course, the sound would be plain were it not for the drums. In this case, percussionist KC Howard is at the top of his game. He has a mastery of making the double kick sound intense and aggressive, although he covers some more subtle ground with the brilliant interlude track 'Solar Impulse'. However, the bass work on 'Polarity' is a tad difficult to hear when mixed in with the rest of the sound. Arguably the weakest aspect of Decrepit Birth's sound are the growled vocals. Contrary to what the "Concerned Christian Mothers Association Of America" may profess, there is plenty of potential for emotion in growls, and that's not something I am feeling here. Bill Robinson certainly has a presence with his low-register grunt, but there is virtually no range when it comes to his performance.

Decrepit Birth are almost certainly inspired by the band Death when it comes to the music they make, particularly that band's more technical and progressive material. The complexity of composition is executed proudly, and there is a general sense of musicianship to 'Polarity' that justifies Decrepit Birth attempting such a degree of activity within their music. Decrepit Birth may be a stronger act than many tech death bands I have heard, but they do not escape from many of the problems I have become used to within the style. Most notably, the band rarely sounds different from the legions of other tech death bands. They may execute this particular sound with a greater sense of intelligence than many, but 'uniqueness' is something that Decrepit Birth's music suffers from via absence. With that in mind, Decrepit Birth's 'Polarity' cannot get the full recommendation, but it is surely among the most successful albums I have heard within this narrow style.