With conceptual inspirations looking at both their leftist political leanings and a particular strain of Gothic horror lifted from action-role player Bloodbourne, San Diego three piece Putrescine are, on paper, a rather unique proposition. However, whilst their music may espouse a timeless hooks ‘n’ grooves philosophy steeped in the buzz-saw rage of Stockholm and the ornate menace of Tampa Bay, the bands debut EP The One Reborn could be rather easily dismissed as a simple tribute to old school death metal values. Luckily, the furrowed brow fury and songwriting quality on display swiftly quashes any grumbles that these tracks are not significantly original.
It is all convincingly unpleasant stuff, the listener swept along amid showers of percussive clatter, the traditional sewer splurging lows/lacerating highs vocal switcharoo and a thick haze of malevolent ambience. However, it’s the relentless barrage of ferocious and joyously incisive riffs that spew from the guitars of Trevor Van Hook and Zachary Sanders that makes everything from savage opener ‘Child Sized Coffins’ and the mid-paced cudgeling of ‘Inhuman’, through to the barbaric multi-limbed attack of ‘Entropy,’ resound with power, depth and electrifying intensity. For a debut release this is remarkably assured; evidence, perhaps, that Putrescine have what it takes for the long haul, and despite its understandably raw production The One Reborn contains more than enough promise to suggest that a full length record could strike a diabolical chord with death-heads the world over. Watch this space.
The One Reborn is available now and can be purchased here.
Words: Tony Bliss
