DECAPITATED Cancer Culture | Weekly Heavy Metal Album Review

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on May 27th, 2022

Quick Background

Polish tech death metal virtuosos Decapitated were formed in 1996, and built a reputation over the years as one of the international leaders of the "tech death" genre. The group comprises guitarist, founder and composer Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, vocalist Rafał Piotrowski, bassist Paweł Pasek and drummer James Stewart. Flirting with various tempos, mixing Death Metal with Grindcore, Black Metal atmosphere with a lot of groove, Decapitated are modern Death Metal titan and their latest albums have all been very good. 

Cancer Culture

Cancer Culture is their eighth studio album following up the very strong 2017's Anticult. In 2022 they come with 10 new tracks in 38 minutes with one being short instrumental opener "From The Nothingness With Love". The title track follows and gets the hammer down with a very heavy opening riff. And what I like about this band is that it's not only blast beats and double bass drums, some tempo and rhythmic changes during the song keeps it dynamic and interesting. "Just A Cigarette" is no different, some really heavy shit and some very cool guitarwork specially in the bridge before the nice guitar solo. "No Cure" is another brick of sound in our heads, there's a smooth session in the middle so we can catch our breath but other than that it is high speed thrashy death metal in your face. But Decapitated has many facets and "Hello Death" while also aggressive brings a new flavor with the guest singer Tatiana Shmayluk from Jinjer. 

It's worth noting that since 2019, Kiełtyka has been taking care of second-guitar duties in Machine Head following the departure of Phil Demmel. So for "Iconoclast" the band brought in now their friend Robb Flynn to add some guest vocals. It's a different song, not blasting madness as most of the songs on this record but still powerful, fast, and crushing. Flynn's melodic singing section is certainly a highlight. The guitar work is technical and groovy, for example I love the intro riff of "Suicidal Space Programme", overall a very thrash metal influenced song with Slayer vibes and very cool drumming.  

Then completely out of the blue we get track number 8 "Locked" which is just 1:17 long and reminds of Code Orange. A very short but dynamic and heavy song. More pleasant surprises with "Hours As Battlegrounds", a mid-tempo groovy song, almost like Sepultura. "Last Supper" closes the album with a summary of the album is all about, groove plus heaviness, great guitar work and drumming. 

I also must highlight the vocal performance of Rafał. I really like his voice and the clear dictation of the lyrics which again, were written by Jarek Szubrycht ('Carnival Is Forever') reflecting on the disproportion between the dreams, ambitions, and aspirations of humanity.

The Picky Guy

If I were to pick on something, it's the lack of bass. It is mostly buried behind the drums and guitars. Other than that for a modern death metal album, not much left to complain...

Wrap Up Opinion 

Decapitated delivered an angry album with blasting energy and heaviness from start to finish but with enough variability and groove to keep it interesting throughout.  You can expect to hear an outstanding production, a fantastic artwork, and a little something here and there that you would not expect from Decapitated before Cancer Culture. A very good album, 83/100, and another one that may grow further on me as I keep listening to it and plan to see them live this summer.

SCORE: 83/100

Genre: Death Metal

Released by Nuclear Blast Records on May 27th, 2022

Rating System

99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad

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