It may only be September but Make Them Beg for Death is already in contention for death metal album of the year. After their incredible 2017 record Wrong One to Fuck With, Dying Fetus have returned to the studio with yet another banger waiting to be heard. From start to finish, it’s a maximum attack where brutality is on a whole new level. John Gallagher and Sean Beasley’s chemistry when switching growls has only grown better with time and they make their message loud and clear in this instance. Like angry dogs with fangs out ready to scare off and bite any intruders in their path, it’s a terrifying combination to expel any demons trapped inside the listener so you wouldn’t want to encounter these beasts on a dark alleyway at night.
But if anyone thinks that their biggest fears are only vocals, then they’re deadly wrong because this violent experience is only just beginning. Trey Williams’ agility behind the kit shines brightly through his agile and technical playing style. His various blast beats ranging from the bomb, hammer and gravity to fills don’t get any more precise than a dart hitting a bullseye. He executes those 16th notes and double kicks sharper than a Concorde cutting through the sky at top speed. While not just singing but playing guitars, John also jumps on the bandwagon of versatility. His licks, harmonies, sweep picking, dark riffs and arpeggios are extremely contagious with any try not to headbang challenge bound to fail.
There is no predictability whatsoever with constant tempo changes made to throw the listener off and lose their way which adds to the already existing excitement. The sense of anticipation and confusion is further enhanced by the explosive breakdowns which have a cinematic sensation with the suspenseful bass drone sound effects. Tracks like ‘Feast of Ashes’ are a prime example of this where in Schoenberg style, the song has some shades of the structure of ‘Peripetie’ which means sudden changes. Although it might not be atonal, the method used to create the feeling of surprise is very much noticeable.
Clocking in at 37 mins, it’s short, pulsating and exhilarating to take in and Dying Fetus have done a wonderful job at not overdoing things. Many bands make the mistake of adding in too many filler songs to the point where an album that started well and had the potential to be excellent then runs out of steam, spoiling the thrill. In addition, the length of the tunes are perfect because due to their complexity and intensity, it demands a quick listening time to appreciate the details. By being aware of these factors, it shows that Dying Fetus really know how to please their audience and are considerate of what is expected so they deserve a lot of credit for this.
Their trademark themes of violence, gore and morbid fantasies are prevalent once again in their music videos and lyrical content. ‘Feast of Ashes’ is at the forefront of examples as the clip depicts a group of killer thugs who kidnap and torture their victims with a range of weapons from chainsaws to wire cutters and pocket knives. Like many death metal bands, this is a signature move of the subgenre to evoke feelings of shock and horror which Dying Fetus pulls off wonderfully. In the same way as slasher films are visual, Dying Fetus turn their graphic themes into music as otherwise it wouldn’t be called brutal death metal for a reason. The album cover is an accurate representation of that with a blindfolded person about to get their throat slit and possibly begging to be killed out of mercy.
Another topic highlighted in Make Them Beg for Death is revenge in the lyrics of ‘Compulsion of Cruelty’. “I’ve waited years to make them suffer” and “They lied and locked me up, now the day’s come it’s to pay” tells the story of someone who is out for vengeance as a result of being betrayed and will pay them back in the most sadistic way possible.
With no signs of slowing down, the Baltimore trio have proved why they’re one of the best death metal bands in the world. They’re back stronger than ever before and ready to eat you alive if you dare to mess with them. It’s an album not for the faint-hearted and ill preparation will leave no choice but to beg for death.
Make Them Beg for Death will be released on September 8th via Relapse Records.
