RANCID CADAVER are a five-piece Death Metal monstrosity hailing from The United Kingdom, playing a brand of Metal that strides freely between Doom and Death Metal, in the vein of AUTOPSY, UNDERGANG and CIANIDE. Originally released on tape and digital in 2022 through Dry Cough Records, “Flesh Monstrosity” is getting new life on CD through Morbid Chapel Records in 2024. Opening with the self-titled track, thick chords rain down on the listener, accompanied by a brief lead. An abrupt shift in rhythm sees the song tear into a Thrash style drumming pattern with a primary riff of surging fifth chords. A chorus consisting of single-note tremolo offsets the groove-heavy and Doom oriented primary pattern. The suffocating and dense atmosphere of the opening track leads into a slower, crawling number in the form of ‘Bog Rot’, which staggers like a monstrosity through the first part of the track before greatly increasing in tempo. Heavily emphasized downbeats give a slamming and churning nature to the composition. A half-time break of palm-muted down-picked chords gives way to a brief melodic space that morphs into a catastrophic solo that guides the song to resolution. ‘Malignant Affliction’ pulls no punches, starting on an up-tempo footing, and evolving into a slower blast beat that is sure to turn a crowd into a raving pit of maniacs. This is easily the heaviest and most direct track on the EP, clocking in at less than three minutes, it is a short, sharp demonstration of shifting tempos and rhythmic carnage. ‘Dragged Beneath’ opens with Ross Dunn’s clattering and rumbling bass before launching into an assault that reeks of old school CIANIDE. Alasdair Blair lays down an extended solo that occupies a large portion of the track. ‘Genetic Enhancement’ lays the EP to rest through a sewer-churning exhibition of AUTOPSY worship; slower passages intermingled with faster, short bursts of assaulting riffs and drums. The atmosphere is particularly rancid on this track, with plenty of groove and heaviness to accompany it. What RANCID CADAVER has produced here is something to take note of. Many of the band members are young, most of the line-up is in their mid 20s, so there is something to say about the prospects of what this band is able to unleash in the future. Fans of CIANIDE, AUTOPSY and doomier Death Metal in general will want to bear witness to this quick demonstration of atmospheric-heavy carnage. The spirit of the old school is alive and well with RANCID CADAVER. More information at www.facebook.com/rancidcadaver, www.morbidchapelrecords.com.