Witch Vomit - Buried Deep In A Bottomless Grave REVIEW

We really do not review enough death metal on this platform. The closest thing to this emblematic genre we have covered was the An Isolated Mind review, but that is a completely different entity. In our Best Albums of 2018, we mentioned Horrendous, 1914, and Rivers of Nihil, but not to the extent of a full-blown analysis. We also recently touched upon A Million Dead Birds Laughing, Warforged, and Musmahhu in our Albums You Definitely Should Listen To, but to the same end. It's about damn time that we review some actual, bonafide death metal on this blog, and today is the mother fucking day.

Portland, OR-based quartet Witch Vomit have released their sophomore LP, Buried Deep In A Bottomless Grave, on one of the best underground metal labels around, 20 Buck Spin. home of such fantastic death metal bands as Cerebral Rot, Tomb Mold, and (rip) Extremity. With an even more impressive non-death catalog, the label was smart to pick up these guys. Seven blistering tracks send the listener spiraling deep into the farthest reaches of hell and forces one to ride a roller coaster of destruction back to the surface. Infectious, headbanging riffs make moshing music that is unparalleled in rhythm and ferocity. China hits and rolling snares only compliment the double kick drums pounding away on each track. Although, I suppose these attributes are just normal tenants of good death metal, right? Well, I would like to touch upon that subject. 

Death metal, and specifically old school death metal, has always seemed to be the most derivative genre of metal that I have listened to. People often say to me, "Well, it all sounds the same," and when talking about this genre, I usually agree with them. Major bands like Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Entombed/Entombed A.D. all sound extremely similar to a fault. When I come across a death metal album that I love, like this one or anything by Tomb Mold, it breathes life into my dried out lungs, which have been underwhelmed by the majority of  “straight-up” death metal they have heard. However, while I do very much enjoy this album, it is absolutely derivative. While most old school death metal bands copy, those that are special innovate. Bands such as Tomb Mold and Witch Vomit have taken what their predecessors have done and reimagined and reinvigorated the genre in the 2010s. Morbid Angel for example, is merely taking what they did 30 years ago and rewriting it. That is why I love this album. Innovation is a difficult task to pull off, and usually, it doesn't turn out well; though if it does, it really shines.

So how do Witch Vomit do it? Well, they play extremely catchy, technical and blistering death metal, and there is not much more to say. Utilizing both ends of tempo, this group is able to give the listener exactly what they want in their death metal: palatable song lengths that meld sinister guitar leads with demonic growls, and catchy drum lines that warrant many listens. At just under 30 minutes, I have no problem listening to Buried Deep In A Bottomless Grave multiple times a day. While it may not be the most original music ever, it is accessible enough to hook someone who doesn't listen to many similar artists in this subgenre. "Dripping Tombs" is a groovy, guitar-squealing romp that pulls back on speed, for the most part, and focuses on thumping drums and raw, putrid death metal. The self-titled track is another highlight, where a blistering intro leads to pure destruction that showcases the impressive instrumentation best on the release, with far fewer vocals than on any other track. 

In my metal listening, of all of the death metal subgenres, old school is probably the one I skip the most. Buried Deep In A Bottomless Grave is a great example of why sometimes there are diamonds in the rough. Thrash metal, another genre I rarely touch, arguably even less than death metal, has its modern gems as well. Havok, Power Trip, and the band that culminated Terminal Redux (I am electing to not say this bands name due to their key member’s personal life and decisions, but fuck they are an amazing thrash metal band) all offer fantastic modern takes on the genre that both pay homage to the greats and innovate in equal measure. Recently, old school death metal has seen releases from Tomb Mold, Devourment, and of course, Witch Vomit, who all accomplish similar things. At this point, I know what you wonderful and attentive readers are thinking, "Wait a minute, he really hasn't spent much time actually talking about the album!" To this I would answer with a strong “you're correct”. Death metal is derivative, and this album is no different, but sometimes you just need to jump in a mosh and have a good time listening to metal that isn't watered down with reverb, too noisy for even Merzbow, or littered with polyrhythmic triggered drums; and that is exactly what Buried Deep In A Bottomless Pit gives you.

Final Score: "I've got something to tell you, and you're not going to like it."

Favorite Tracks: "Buried Deep In A Bottomless Pit", "Dripping Tombs"

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You can purchase this album from Witch Vomit's Bandcamp