BLOOD FREAK — Squalor (review)

BLOOD FREAK — Squalor album cover Album · 2014 · Grindcore Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Squalor" is the 5th full-length studio album by US goregrind/death metal act Blood Freak. The album was released through Willowtip Records in October 2014 and is the successor to "Mindscraper" from 2011. Blood Freak has always been the brainchild of "Maniac" Neil Smith and he is also the sole remaining member from the lineup who recorded the predecessor as drummer Travis Ruvo has been replaced by Pierce Williams, and Tony Papasadero has been added as the band´s bassist, leaving Smith to only handle guitars and vocals (he also handled bass on "Mindscraper (2011)".

Nothing has changed in the musical department though, as the music style on "Squalor" is still goregrind/death metal with B-horror/gore movie lyrical themes and imagery. The quality of the material is generally a bit higher than the case was on "Mindscraper (2011)" though, and more comparable to the high quality of "Multiplex Massacre (2007)". Stylistically the music is a mix of Carcass influenced goregrind (the music for example features the classic high pitched aggressive snarl meets deep growling vocals) and old school US death metal and thrash (and even an excursion into stoner doom territory on "Sothoth's Sabaoth"). While especially the goregrind parts aren´t the most innovative or unique sounding, Blood Freak still manages to pull off playing a rather generic style in a convincing manner. There´s lots of bite and passion (and skill) behind the delivery, and the tracks are generally well written and relatively varied for the style (also featuring really well played guitar solos, and the occasional horror movie sample). It´s also almost impossible not to be charmed by songtitles like "Intestinator", "Tentacles from the Void", "God Is a Lawnmower", and "Discodeathbox". Now that´s the right kind of kitch in my world.

The sound production is powerful and raw, yet clear enough to easily make out what is happening in the music. A perfect sound for music like this. Upon conclusion "Squalor" is a nice return to form for Blood Freak, after the slightly less interesting "Mindscraper (2011)", and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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