DECEASED

Is there anyone that doesn't immediately think of three things when the subject of DECEASED is discussed? That trio would be thrash/death icon King Fowley, horror, and the ridiculous amount of supreme riffs. "Surreal Overdose", the first DECEASED studio album since 2005's "As the Weird Travel On", won't change those thoughts one iota. Fowley continues his reign as towering, gravel-throated horror metal king and the number of riffs crammed into these compositions is insane in the best possible way, every one managing to fit with the other in grand service to these death thrashing anthems. Fowley is back on drums and the band is — as always — on top of its game.

Though "Surreal Overdose" can be identified as the sound of DECEASED that you've come to know and love, the group has come up a new arsenal of riff angles, including the occasional black metal shade (intentional or otherwise),that are somehow inventive and traditional at once. All are conjoined in a seamless way, no matter the seeming abruptness of transition. Therein lies the genius of DECEASED, the continual search in an otherwise limited genre for the riffs that kill. And the amount of blood spilled from all that killing could fill a football stadium. The seven-minute "Skin Crawling Progress" is one of many cases during which the high octane tempos power a rabble of riffs that burn hotter than the sun, as scientifically proven. The aforementioned transitions on the cut, and most others for that matter, are neck-breakers of the highest order. Just when you think that the next shift might offer some reprieve from the assault, you're again knocked flat on your back, gazing skyward at the stars with mouth agape over the intenseness of the beating. It isn't until creepy interlude "A Doom-Laden Aura" that you're able to get back up and take a friggin' breath, only to be swatted back down when "Dying in Analog" arrives to finish the job once and for all.

The band has also brought a bit more tunefulness to the table, making several cuts that much more memorable, not the least of which is "Cloned (Day of the Robot)", which features one of the most penetrating choruses of DECEASED's storied career. Fowley even unveils some campy-cool electronic-effected vocal parts during the track. "Kindred Assembly" is another ace, and as redundant as it may seem to state at this point it includes some stellar riffing.

The patented DECEASED beat just goes on and on with this one. But did you really expect anything less? However you choose to define "Surreal Overdose", two things are for certain: they are DECEASED and they're gonna kick your ass!