It’s a credit to the fortitude of Decapitated that over 25 years on from their formation they are still delivering music that continues to expand. The latest release, Cancer Culture, is a far cry from their debut Winds of Creation, and yet underneath both albums, the desire of founder member Wacław “Vogg” Kiełtyka (guitar) burns as bright as it ever did. He may have tempered some of the band’s earlier savagery in the albums Blood Mantra and Anticult, but Cancer Culture is no lightweight music to dance to.
Ever progressing, it would be ridiculous to expect another Winds of Creation, for Decapitated have always evolved, each release building on previous albums, improving songwriting, playing and production. With the arrival of the powerhouse that is James Stewart on drums for his debut album, alongside returning bassist Pawel Pasek, and bolstered by a career defining performance by vocalist Rafał ‘Rasta’ Piotrowski, Cancer Culture blends everything that is good about Decapitated.
The fury, aggression, and sheer hatred that the band spew forth remains. Just listen to the performance on the title track which opens the release. Stewart is one of the most impressive drummers in extreme metal today and his performance is machine-like in both precision and execution. His blistering blast beats hit huge beats per minute, and any aspiring metal drummer should search him out for tips and technique. Adding Pasek’s thunderous bass and you have an unbeatable engine room which provides a concrete foundation for the album.
But there is much more to explore here. “Just a Cigarette” contains one of the most bluesy solos that Vogg has ever delivered, whilst “No Cure” is a face melter which belies the gentleness of the band off stage. The intensity and relentlessness of Stewart’s delivery, combined by some huge riffing and Rasta’s unhuman howling delivery shudders foundations. This is sured by the explosive “Hello Death” which combines the band’s traditional technical style with a surprise appearance by Jinjer vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk whose clean vocals bring a completely unexpected and interesting twist to the song.
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Technicality is always a word associated with Decapitated, and despite some subtle changes in the band’s sound, there is still plenty of the high-level intricacy that has been a hallmark of their music for two decades. As well as progressing, Vogg will always seek to draw on those early influences from the Bay Area and beyond.
Cancer Culture isn’t a long album, but its impact is intense and ferocious. “Iconoclast” has been with us a while now and it should be familiar. A driving riff fest with a pounding groove that underpins those comparisons with the likes of Lamb of God and Pantera; all in a positive and organic way. The appearance of Machine Head’s Robb Flynn adds further interest. The longest track on the album is “Suicidal Space Programme”, which is just shy of five minutes in length. Evidence if you like, that Decapitated don’t need huge, sweeping soundscapes to deliver their music. Just a few minutes is enough, and then it’s a case of holding on tight as the tornado is unleashed. The firepower is inhuman, at times its almost impossible to believe that Stewart is drumming at the speeds he does.
“Hours as Battlegrounds” sees Decapitated move to a more progressive sound. There are elements of Voivod hidden neatly through this track, the spacious sounds and downtuned guitar work drifting above more relentless bass drum batteries. It’s a track that really demonstrates the development of the band. A return to more brutality concludes the album with the pulsating “Last Supper.
The band have always used top level production and Cancer Culture is no different, with David Castillo at Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios / Studio Gröndahl (Sepultura, Carcass, Opeth, Katatonia), and legendary American producer Ted Jensen (Metallica, Slipknot, Pantera, Machine Head, Korn) both involved.
It may not please the purists, but I found this a huge album that was both accessible and at times impenetrable. Spending time with an album of this magnitude isn’t a challenge at any time. If you are a fan of the band, it’s likely you’ll be ready to go. If you’re not, it’s an album worth trying.
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Cancer Culture is out on May 27th
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