FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
On October 31, 2011, The Rotted released their second full-length studio album Ad Nauseam via Candlelight Records.
Background:
The Rotted were formed from the ashes of Death Metal/Grindcore ensemble Gorerotted by ex-members Ben Rotted, Tim Carley, and Phil Wilson, along with Gian Pyres (ex-Cradle of Filth, Extreme Noise Terror, Christian Death, Screamin' Daemon) and Nate Gould (Ex-Screamin' Daemon) due to a musical progression and a desire for less limiting lyrical themes: the band themselves say that The Rotted and Gorerotted are two entirely different entities, with The Rotted incorporating more of a Punk/D-Beat style into their brand of Death Metal. Prior to the release of Ad Nauseam, The Rotted released the full-length studio album Get Dead or Die Trying (2008) and the EP Anarchogram (2010).
The Rotted entered Parlour Studios in January and February 2011 with producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, Evile) once again at the helm to record Ad Nauseam.
The album featured the dark and dirty artwork by the bass-playing Minister Of The Sinister, The Reverend M. Trudgill. The albums artwork is inspired by the lyrics and each part represents a different song.
A single Apathy In The UK was also released as a limited edition 7 inch vinyl on Hammerheart Records. A UK tour with Grindcore supergroup Lock Up and Dripback took place in December, from which footage for a video of the song Surrounded By Skulls was collected.
Tracklist:
01. Anarchogram Sun
02. Rex Oblivione
03. Surrounded By Skulls
04. Non Serviam
05. Just Add Nauseam
06. Entering The Arena Of The Unwell
07. The House Of Bedlam
08. Apathy In The UK
09. Motorbastards
10. The Hammer Of Witches
11. Put Me Out Of Your Misery
Critical Reception:
In a review for thrashhits.com, Amit Sharma wrote; “Chances are if you are reading this you will have a good idea of what Heavy Metal is. You may have noticed how many bands out there describe themselves as “F**K-OFF HEAVY”…and yet when you hear their music this is far from the case. The Rotted are a band that actually do live up to expectation, and we’ll bet anyone you know that has seen them will testify the very same.
Interestingly, the opening track on the album, Anarchogram Sun, could be the least heavy on the album, at least in the traditional sense. It’s still the same volatile band though the riffs lend more towards their crustier D-Beat influences, and explore a different kind of filth. Rex Oblivione picks up the pace with the usual blastbeat carnage you’d expect and some melodic death riffery on par with Gothenburg’s finest. In terms of production, this band have never sounded more destructive thanks to the skills of Russ Russell (Napalm Death, The Wildhearts, etc.). This record feels louder than its predecessor, with more low-end punch and high-end sparkle that carefully manages to avoid the risk of sounding too polished or of cheapening that signature grit.
Surrounded By Skulls follows very much in suit and could be the closest thing we have to a single off this record – which is a term rarely used within the realms of death metal. But then again this record feels less ‘death’ than its predecessor. Following the departure of ex-Cradle Of Filth gunslinger Gian Pyres in 2009, The Rotted seem to have honed in on their punk influences towards a more simplified cocktail for brutality. Obviously functioning as a four piece has left their music less layered and arguably less technical, but it’s great to hear a band that have actually been creative with change and used it to their advantage. This newer sound is tighter, more focused and ultimately – more identifiable. And most importantly, it’s still heavy as fuck.
Songs like Non-Serviam’and Apathy In The UK sound more like Sepultura than Cannibal Corpse, yet without compromising on the intensity one would expect from The Rotted. It has to be said the bass sound on this record is colossal, and manages to fill out a lot of the space needed to make single-guitar driven music sound massive. Whilst their debut effort, Get Dead Or Die Trying, didn’t completely harness the sheer ferocity of The Rotted’s live performances, Ad Nauseam looks set to show everyone what this band are truly capable of.
Sounds Like: Motörhead snorting speed with Sepultura and At The Gates.
Top Tracks: Just Add Nauseam, The House Of Bedlam.
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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