Basement Torture Killings – The Second Cumming (2011)
1. Human Body Part Jewellery (02:37)
2. Outback Murders (02:23)
3. The Burner (03:41)
4. Severed Head Fellatio (03:23)
5. Caught Twice But Never Convicted (02:37)
6. Priceless Life Death Art (03:41)
7. 31 Stab Wounds To The Face (03:18)
8. Crucifix Sodomy (03:09)
9. The Trucker (03:17)
10. Gore Bukkake (06:15)
11. Drill Bit Erotica (Gagged Bonus) (00:30)
12. Foetus Eater (Stuffed Bonus) (02:57)
Label: Arcane Productions
******************************************
Following a supporting role at the Underworld to Malevolent Creation, BTK have been touring (seemingly) incessantly and making quite a name for themselves. The Second Cumming was released in April 2011 but BTK are not a band to be listened to, reviewed and then discarded. Doing so would be disrespectful. Which is why after a month or so of deliberation and enjoyment, it is time to dwell on the question of critique.
There are elements underlying the overall tone of the album that is very reminiscent of Carcass’ Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious most notable in the dramatic introduction to many of the songs but this would be a wholly unfair comparison to inflict on what one has witnessed in their live performance and one single listen of this album. Unfair and inaccurate. Linking their own introduction to Extreme Metal with the iconic opening scene from the first episode of Dexter, “Look – or I’ll cut your eyelids right off your face” audio opening the track “Crucifix Sodomy” lends a power and legitimacy to the sadistic art that mirrors the darkness abounding throughout Dexter’s travails to seem, and to be, human.
Thematically, there is much more in common with the likes of Macabre whose comedy-themed Serial-Killer-Metal is presented here with a much greater force and far less tongue-in-cheek despite the comic-sounding titles, “Severed Head Fellatio” and “Gore Bukkake.” Vocally, one can only be impressed with the power of Bertrand’s demonic realisation of material that morality is incapable of making sense of, marrying this with the traditional death metal growl that serves as an infernally harmonious relationship underscored by the quite beautifully composed solos. The danger for so many death metal bands is to create wholly technical, speedy guitar solos but here there is more emphasis on the brutality by steering away from this conventional wisdom and the music and atmosphere is much more flavourful because of it. Well-constructed interludes on the likes of “Caught Twice But Never Convicted” convince us of the band’s growing reputation cemented with a support slot on the forthcoming London Dethfest XII with Deicide and Belphegor where one is sure their burgeoning reputation can only be enhanced.
From the opening blast-beat to the final bonus track (“Foetus Eater”) there is a brutality with an underlying aggression that is not dominated solely by speed and down-tuning, but by a much more nefarious attitude that is not immediately apparent or quantifiable; an unquestionable feeling that marks this release as being something quite special. Despite an anthropological approach in music journalism to clarify and quantify (a natural response and intellectual step) music is, however, governed by something much more primal that does not so readily agree to the enslavement of its primary power.
Let it thus be stated that this is no mere standard brutal release with a serial killer gimmick but has all the hallmarks of quality musicianship one would expect from much more seasoned professionals, culminating in a release that should stand head and shoulders above the clichéd dross that permeates much of metal like a cancer. Perhaps this message is the solution. To Live is slice, perhaps?
Basement Torture Killings Facebook
Basement Torture Killings Myspace
Please send all comments (or hate mail) to: suicidescriptures1@gmail.com – because we need entertaining too
suicidescriptures1.wordpress.com 