As a great many, our passion for brutal ravenous metal was given a real treat with the debut Gutslit album Skewered in the Sewer back in 2013. It was a raw and insatiable introduction to the India hailing outfit instantly stirring up global attention. We can declare now though that it was just the prelude to something bigger, bolder, and even more barbarous now savaging the senses in the shape its successor Amputheatre. Embracing the uncompromising rabidity of grind into their already distinct death metal nurtured sound, Amputheatre not only reinforces Gutslit’s presence in world metal but puts it on a whole new plateau.
From the moment the album’s title track sets the darkening scene and blood strewn atmosphere intrigue is hooked and attention grasped, than ruptured by the invasive surge of Brazen Bull. Sizing things up initially, it charges head first through ears, the incessant riffs and swinging grooves of Prateek Rajagopal leading the way closely followed by the scything attack of drummer Aaron Pinto. New member in vocalist Kaushal LS (Godless) impressively roars from the midst of the tempest, his diverse attack as riveting and stirring as the predatory sounds around him. With the heavy invasive groove of Gurdip Singh Narang’s bass completing the irresistible animus, the album swiftly hits the sweet spot as it instantly reveals a thicker and bolder adventure in the Gutslit trespass.
The following From One Ear To Another is equally as uncompromising and compelling, its ravenous assault a web of grooved invention and merciless antipathy again headed by Kaushal’s outstanding onslaught. That new found imagination in the band’s sound is swiftly exposed in its individuality as the song flips from its brutality into a surging rock ‘n’ roll charge and then a technically mesmeric tango, the cycle repeating without in any second ever losing its instinctive animosity. The track is immense almost reason enough to check out Amputheatre and soon backed in might by the belligerently savage Necktie Party. It too surges through a clutch of unpredictable and inventive twists which are maybe not as bold as in its predecessor, though its melodic detour is fascinating, but just as captivating and thrilling as the song preys on the senses.
Album artwork – Eliran Kantor
Blood Eagle is a carnivorous infestation, grooves and rhythms as toxic as they are seductive and ridden by the viral antics of vocal predation. Rajagopal’s melodic enterprise wraps this unrestrained and violently catchy malevolence, his strings equally adept at conjuring extremes and skilfully matched by the malicious yet vibrant antics of Narang’s bass. It is a tapestry which simply lights up appetite and imagination, success just as easily and mightily nurtured by the incessant quarrel of Brodequin and the ruthless animus cast by Maraschino Eyeballs. Both tracks are as bloodthirsty as they are openly infectious; their webs of wiry grooves and murderous rhythms bound in often acidic but perpetually beguiling enterprise.
Arguably the most truculent offering within Amputheatre is provided by Scaphism, a sadistic immersion of the senses but again one as ridiculously catchy as it is brutally cruel before the album is brought to a close by Death Hammer. Instantly you can sense the band are going to push their instincts and imagination further; something about its entrance and building confrontation which suggests the venturous almost schizophrenic tapestry of idea and sound eventually realised. Soaked in Gutslit’s renowned and expected brutality and accomplished craft, the closing trespass enthrals and excites whilst creating another seriously striking moment within the release.
Amputheatre is superb, a real standout treat in a year of potent ravenous metal encounters from a band deserving as much attention as possible.
Amputheatre is out now through Transcending Obscurity India and available @ https://gutslitindia.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/gutslit/
Pete RingMaster 24/10/2017
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
Aizawl based again, Third Sovereign intrigue the imagination with opening introduction Sakei Ai Hla, voices in threat or calling, hard to know, leading the listener towards and into the brewing tempest of Grave of Humanity and an irritable climate of intimidating riffs and towering intensity. A few moments more and the track is rampaging with thick spicy grooves entwining thumping rhythms and rabid riffs. As vocalist Vedant prowls proceedings with his grizzly guttural tones, thrash bred fuel flows to incite and power the increasingly gripping provocation masterly coloured by guitarist Benjamin and given compelling bulk by bassist Jonah within Reuben’s skeletal rhythmic frame.