Formerly a one-man band, Woking’s Regurgitate Life have re-emerged as a two-piece. The project welcomes drummer Daryl Best alongside multi-instrumentalist Sammy Urwin, for their first release in two years (and their first full-length in five), ‘Obliteration of the Self’.
‘Obliteration…’ feels like an entirely new version of Regurgitate Life. Over-the-top technicality is toned down in favour of incorporating other influences, which keeps things interesting and sets the duo apart from the sometimes banal tech-death scene. The basic death metal foundation is still there: Much of the record sees the use of standard elements in use; fast, heavy riffs and blast beats. But the band push this sound out and take it to unexpected places. The guitar tone on ‘The Lows One Goes To’ is tweaked slightly to give its riff an eerie feel, and ‘The Great Divide’ sees the use of off-kilter riffs and polyrhythms (with some fantastic drumming from Best), as well as some screamo-styled vocals.
Obliteration Of The Self by Regurgitate Life
Elsewhere, ‘Ownlife’ incorporates some black metal-inspired guitars and vocals, while ‘Under the Paper Sky’ recalls sludge metal and noise rock, and ‘House on the Cliff Face’ starts with a riff reminiscent of neo-psychedelia. Add to this that what’s happening musicallyon any given track never stays the same long enough for things to become tedious.
Ultimately, you have an album that’s as interesting as it is progressive and technical. The execution of this complex song structure, along with the integration of diverse influences, is handled with aplomb, and Regurgitate Life never come across as sloppy or messy despite multiple things going on at the same time.
‘Obliteration of the Self’ is not only a good death metal album, it’s an album that comes highly recommended to any fan of metal or progressive music in general. In addition to this, it’s an album that toes the line between musicianship and songcraft, being not only technically impressive but accessible, engaging and interesting to the average listener.
4/5
‘Obliteration of the Self’ by Regurgitate Life is out now on Truthseeker Music.
Regurgitate Life links: Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp
Words by Alan Cunningham (@funeral_polis)
