DNAcorruption
This was a perfect way to start the new year! I hadn’t heard of ‘Rotheads’ before so finding out that they have 3 other releases to catch up with was a nice surprise, checked out the whole discog and honestly I haven’t heard 1 bad song so I copped the lot. This album definitely showcases both their talent as individual musicians and their development as a band. Style wise, they’re just, sickening! 🤘🏻 Favorite track: Gore Coffin.
The long-awaited 2nd full-length by this Romanian band. This putrid ensemble was formed in Bucharest back in 2014 as an old-school Death Metal side-project to the experimental doom/noise/stoner-improv band Keeng Ra´at: both bands contained the same three members. By 2015, five songs were written, and recordings began in December of that year. Ultimately, six songs (plus intro and outro) came out in April 2016 as the "Unfazed by Death" demo, which turned out to be a remarkable, sick trip into the bowels of murky and foul-smelling Death Metal. In the meantime, another guitarist joined the band, and the original bassist left and rejoined later on. The original drummer and vocalist also left the band in August of that year, and another drummer then joined, while the vocals have been henceforth handled by the original guitarist. With that lineup thus set, Rotheads burst from the bowels of the ugliest underground with their aptly-fucking-titled debut album, "Sewer Fiends", for Memento Mori in 2018. Unyielding and unapologetic, Rotheads took their aggregate influences -particularly from the classic early 90´s Finnish scene (Convulse, Abhorrence/Amorphis, Sentenced, Demigod, Depravity), as well as other timeless crypt dwellers such as Autopsy, Gorement, Edge of Sanity, Accidental Suicide, Incubator and Asphyx- and proceeded to create a mesmerizingly murky and moody work with their debut album. The sewage was piled high and plentifully, and true diehards took notice. And still the sewers call! A four-way split with Vorus, Engrossed and Eruptive followed a year later, but the sewers of the soul that pollute Rotheads continued to pulse, patiently lying in wait for the right time to strike. And strike they do with their sophomore full-length, "Slither in Slime"! Another aptly-fucking-titled album, "Slither in Slime" immediately sounds like Rotheads, but something strange -something altogether unwholesome and even otherworldly- is at work here. While no doubt as crushing as ever, there´s a cool/calm/collected execution to the album that creates tension and unease, allowing those same foul and fetid riffs to wash over you with filthier effect, and something approaching "atmosphere" results. Patient? Yes, but the payoff is even grander, as a swirling creepiness seduces even the most closeminded death metaller. We could also say that "Slither in Slime" is catchy as fuck, but that should be apparent to anyone who dares to step into Rotheads´ newest sewer. Simply massive? You fucking bet! Graced with appropriately stark cover art courtesy of Mörtuus, and suitably tendrilous mastering courtesy of Ted Tringo, Rotheads have eclipsed the lofty standards set by their debut: you are hereby commanded to Slither in Slime!
credits
released January 6, 2023
Irinel Anghel - guest vocals on “Gut Mauled”
Recorded & Edited by OsimetriC Music Productions, Bucharest
Mixed by Detto at Sentinel Recording Studio, Seattle, WA
Mastered by Ted Tringo at The Ancient Way Mastering
Cover art by Mörtuus-Art
Photos by Rotheads & Mary
Layout by Skadvaldur Art
supported by 32 fans who also own “Slither in Slime”
I'm kicking my own ass for somehow missing this when it released. Expertly arranged death metal with kick drums that could demolish a high-rise. zirtonic
The metal’s band revelatory new record crosses genres and styles, effortlessly combining seemingly incompatible subgenres. Bandcamp Album of the Day Apr 26, 2024
supported by 30 fans who also own “Slither in Slime”
An outstanding Extreme doom death album, in the best tradition. The funerary atmosphere reminds of Evoken ('Centuries of ooze" bears striking similarities, for my delight). It is overall sharp, dark, hypnotic and unrelenting. One of those rare convincing new bands that hold proud the legacy of the biggest names. Bertrand Marchal