Having been a big fan of New Zealand's Ulcerate since their demo days, I was quite excited when their latest full-length, "Everything is Fire", showed up in the mail from Willowtip. This time out their bassist is handling the vocal duties, and they've also got one new guitarist, but thankfully their sinuous take on death metal remains unchanged: So you can expect eight generally lengthy compositions that are jam packed with tactfully technical musicianship consisting of hectic flurries of colorful percussive flare and loads of dissonantly mangled riffs with an overall sense of thick, churning energy that really creates an intriguing atmosphere. And to be honest with you, while I initially felt that a hint more restraint may have amped up the power factor on their last effort, "Of Fracture and Failure", that material has really grown on me since that time, and the more I think about the Gorguts comparison that I made when I wrote about that record, the more I realize that Ulcerate was already taking that weird, warped, fucked up, Gorguts-styled discordance and—in my opinion—doing something a little more emphatic and moving with it. I know such a statement is complete heresy for many, but... what can I say? I stand by it, and this material absolutely follows suit. Yes, there's something chaotic and over the top about the band's songwriting style that doesn't always create that immediate impact, but there's also a completely relentless sense of darkness and feeling amidst everything they put forth, and I really admire the absolutely furious intensity that they balance with just enough breaks of slower, slightly more tangible rhythm segments. When all is said and done, Ulcerate is an outstanding band that has yet to disappoint, and I wholly recommend everything they've recorded to date, while continually looking forward to hearing more.
...this burning inside cannot be defined. Our empty convictions erode in time. Stand on the edge of abandon, and stare into the searing sun. Forfeit now, for nothing we know. Everything is fire.
The CD's listed as a pre-order at Willowtip, but as far as I can tell it's already in stock at numerous distros (and digitally), so I assume orders should be shipping as they're placed.
Comments
I was a little “eh” on the band’s last record, but your description makes me want to dive into this one. I’m loving that cover art, too.
4.15.2009 | By Invisible Oranges
the Gorguts comment definitely has me curious.
i do remember Paul Romano asking me if i’d ever heard these dudes and now after reading this…i need to check em out.
4.15.2009 | By jim fucking winters
man, this Cd is nuts-so discordant and chaotic yet restrained and powerful
BTW andrew, I met Zander from Host last week at a Battlefields concert- he enjoyed your review and gave me a copy
4.15.2009 | By Erik
I never paid much attention to these guys but now I see that was a big mistake. Maybe this can hold me over until that new Gorguts album comes out and flattens everything in its path :)
4.15.2009 | By gordeth
just a heads up - new Gorguts will have Kevin Hufnagel (Dysrhythmia, Byla) and Colin Marston(Dysrhythmia, Byla, Behold…The Arctopus, Krallice etc.)!!!!
4.16.2009 | By jim fucking winters
yeah I missed the last Ulcerate album but this one is brilliant.
lookingforwad to gorguts too.
4.16.2009 | By steve
sounds like it was recorded in “hell”. haha. seriously the best death metal i’ve heard recently, since their last album, pretty much.
4.16.2009 | By incarnate
@jim: don’t forget John Longstreth!
4.16.2009 | By gordeth
giving this a listen now.
it’s competent, but seriously…Gorguts it could never be.
that said i am curious to hear their earlier stuff.
4.18.2009 | By jim fucking winters
upon further listening this is kinda like part Crowpath part From Wisdom to Hate era Gorguts, in that it has that note-weaving motion thing going on.
i don’t really hear much dissonance though, maybe it’s my ears. haha.
i’m more curious to hear the earlier stuff though.
4.20.2009 | By jim fucking winters
I had someone complain once before about my use of the term “dissonance” because apparently the way I use it doesn’t necessarily reflect what it means to technically-minded musicians, ha. But even if it’s not necessarily 100% accurate in “musical terms” (I guess?), I think most people (read: general listeners) hear/understand what I’m referring to when I use that term (in general, not just in reference to this album, of course). I hope!?
4.20.2009 | By Andrew Aversionline
right. i do understand your use of the term.
without getting TOO far off on a tangent. haha.
it’s similar to From Wisdom to Hate Gorguts - which doesn’t sound dissonant to me where Obscura definitely does.
Hard to explain… like comparing the guitarists Daniel Mongrain who was on FWTH and certainly a more “schooled” player than (with all due respect!) Steeve Hurdle, who’s style is almost haphazard and barbaric in intent. Therein lies the significant difference. Then again it’s all academic! haha.
4.20.2009 | By jim fucking winters
while i follow up on myself…haha.
Kevin from Dysrhythmia mentioned hearing some Deathspell Omega in this band and i have to agree.
4.21.2009 | By jim fucking winters
I can see that. You should definitely check out “Of Fracture and Failure”, though. It’s quite similar, but… maybe it will sell you a little more on this band. Although, weirdly enough, I started to like the material on “Of Fracture and Failure” even more when songs started popping up out of context on my iPod during shuffle play. That’s when I really realized that something about their arrangements hits me a little harder than loosely comparable bands.
4.21.2009 | By Andrew Aversionline
last fucking comment on this band.
yeah, i’ve heard all their stuff and i like it all actually.
my main complaint is it tends to get alittle samey, but they’re definitely competent as fuck.
4.21.2009 | By jim fucking winters
Got the CD from Willowtip earlier this week, and yes it’s fucking fantastic. Gorguts’ comparisons are valid, but at times I also hear a little Rune in the quieter moments. Fucking great cd.
4.22.2009 | By ALEX