Viral Load & Putrid Pile
Split EP
Relapse Records

The album cover for this split looks like something that’s fallen out of the Demons of Chaos Warhammer codex. Two demonic entities fighting each other on a desolate battlefield surrounded by even more monsters will always be awesome.

Viral Load first; a death metal band from Texas who are about as subtle as being set on fire and kicked down a very, very steep hill. ‘Dog Food Lube’ is all staccato drum fills, steadfast bass rumbles and the tinniest fucking guitar riffs you’ve ever heard, coupled with the gargling vocal snarl of a man who should see a doctor about the cysts in his neck. Christ, its like if Clive Barker fronted a band with his Cenobite creations. ‘Methlab Machete Massacre’ is just as ridiculous as it’s title and just as furious; rapid-fire drum hits and some serious grinding riffage, not to mention paint-gargling vocal brilliance that resembles a pig getting a enema. Putrid Pile employs more screams and shrieking rasps of sound as opposed to the guttural roar of a man with a sinus infection. ‘The Satisfying Dead’ is Pig Destroyer-worthy guitar shredding, backed by an uncomfortably fast drum machine and it completely and utterly owns. The very fact Putrid Pile’s only member (Shaun LaCanne) resembles some sweaty D&D nerd makes it even funnier. ‘A Fitting End’ is a spasmodic drum apocalypse, mixed with an army of demons being sucked into a void while Slayer plays in the background. LaCanne switches from this throaty roar to a high-pitched shriek with such ease, it’s quite unsettling. ‘Lifeless…Not Useless’ is probably the most insane thing I’ve heard this year – beginning to describe it is just impossible; it’s like the Predator borrowing a drumkit and deciding halfway through playing he’ll smash the shit out of it instead. WITH A GUITAR.

Insane blast-beat noise; hit this up immediately.

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Review by Ross Macdonald