Sunday, March 30, 2014

DISGORGE - Chronic Corpora Infest (1997)

Querétaro Clinical Reports


„We are like a deadly virus, slow, but fucking virulent”. These words are taken from one of Polish zine called Messerschmitt. Their author, Antimo Buonnano, was very excited because his band released the debut album. Words are brave, but are they real? The author seems to be sane, but is he conscious? Two main questions concerning this Mexican slab I have to answer…

When you take a look at the front cover, it is well known that “Chronic Corpora Infest” isn’t a story about dragons, warriors and next true satanic warriors. No, it is not, because Mexican freaks prepared some stories about something real, about our flesh. Unfortunately this tale isn’t nice or pleasant, as the flesh condition is not the best: with music and lyrics Disgorge shows the charms of medicine and pathophysiology. In one sentence: welcome on gore/grind board. This album is a flat denial of good taste and sensitivity. It isn’t thing for ‘usual’ metal fan (you know, Maiden, Metallica, Nightwish…), though the processes Disgorge is trying to describe are taken from our poor life. For sure this rotten trio knows very good the band called Carcass, for sure their second offal “Symphonies of Sickness” is like a bible for Mexicans, but as compared to all the Liverpool things, Queretaro boys reached another (better!) level in gore/grind execution. I think the difference gets out of this incredible sickness and morbid, pathological atmosphere, even describing this putrid music as ‘climatic’ gore/grind is not a mistake here. It sounds unbelievably, but musical Disgorge side is just better in overall perception. Simply sicker stuff… so, did the student surpass the master? The answer isn’t one-valued though…

The first version of “Chronic Corpora Infest” consists of nine tracks (my reissue has additional four bonus songs), but their names aren’t easy stuff to remember or shouting on the gigs, just take a look on the songs number one or two and try to say it without stammering. Fortunately the music itself is more come-at-able and easier than medical lyrics. I wrote earlier about this putridness in surrounding atmosphere which was the first feeling concerning the album. The first award goes to Antimo who sings here. Hm, “sings”, is it a correct word? Of corpse not! And what is more, he proposes many ways of it. I have an impression that he tries to show the sounds from every human hole. I can hear growls, shrieks, gutturals, vomits, yawps, grumbles, or melanemesis, copremesis and cholemesis if I’d like to write it in pathological Disgorge way.

Beyond doubt “Rancid Bowel Sarcoma” is the best track here because of two reasons at least. Firstly, this is the only song with no introduction or horror movie samples, secondly, it contains absolutely great Swedish-like slow-down about third minute lasting circa thirty seconds. Similar thing is shown in “Lymphatic Orgy in an Ulcerated Incubation”, but it isn’t such characteristic. As I wrote about horror movie introductions, Mexicans really exaggerate with it. The basic version of the album lasts about 41 minutes while introductions almost nine! Take a listen to the eight highlight “Gribbled Maggotized Pregnant Inside into a Fetid Renal Sarna”: two minutes and twenty seconds wasted on useless intro! This is the main and only complaint that refers to this album and has a big influence on the final mark, however the last track “Pedophilamorphia of Excreachollemical Endolapse” (man, I love these fabulous titles!) has really nice ending tunes, it is like an alleviation after forty minutes of unspeakable medicine horror. Writing about realization of sounds, it must be declared: expect no sterile or even clear tunes, yet everything is definitely audible. Disgorge walks the underground way, though the guitars lines should be recorded a bit louder I guess. Fortunately, during such a violent show, the music doesn’t become a shapeless pulp. In general, the production is a solid base to succeed. I mean, to call this album as ‘sick’. The second component part is the music itself of course. And what is shown on the stage? A full musical range, indeed, as these worshippers of medicine deliver torture of all kind: from slow, heavy, crippling almost doomish whiles to fast and frantic pace decorated by unmerciful blast beats. The guitar works are supported by Antimo’s polite bass and it is a good complement to the sound wall that falls down on my senses. Of corpse, writing about the devastation caused by this album, it is absolutely necessary to make mention on Guillermo and his instrument. I love his performance a lot, as he doesn’t offer boring blasts only. He play is very irregular and arrhythmic, mostly it is served in mid-paced or just fast manner. Brain death guaranteed.

I haven’t first press of this album, my version re-released by American Line has also four bonus tracks as mentioned above: two of them are taken from a split with Squash Bowels, the remainder is the rehearsal stuff with very poor quality. All in all, I treat it as a good and interesting part, causing next pleasant illness like balanoblennorrhoea or pylethrombophlebitis. Sounds pretty gorgeous? Yes, exactly. And to cut it short: in the world of gore and pathological releases, “Chronic Corpora Infest” is a better kind. I know about its legendary status in some circles, especially in Mexico, and I have to admit the right such a statement: the album is decorated (is it a proper word?) by memorable front cover and murderous music as well. The sounds emanate an unique kind of rotten and mortuary atmosphere, it is easy to feel, indeed. And it is truly exploit to reach such things not using keyboards like in doom/death or gothic bands. Only guitar, bass and vocals. Simple explanation?

Well, can I now confirm Antimo’s words and write about “Chronic Corpora Infest” as a deadly virus? Yes, I can. Surely. This clas-sick gore slab is definitely worth of checking out… of corpse if you’re brave enough!         


90/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written on March, 2014)

No comments:

Post a Comment