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RANCID CADAVER
Mortality Denied

Cavernous / Iron Fortress (2025)
Rating: 7.5/10

With releases his year from Trench Foot, Chestcrush, Caustic Phlegm, Seven Doors and now Rancid Cadaver, it’s looking like the UK death metal juggernaut is showing no signs of slowing down.

Mortality Denied is the full-length debut from this impressive Scottish clan who so far has issued a brace of EPs. With this new album you get slimed and primed by nine tracks composed by the line-up of Ross Dunn (vocals and bass; who took over the growls three years ago from Lee Lewis), Alasdair Blair (lead guitar), Keiran Higgins (rhythm guitar) and Conor Quinn.

Before moving on to the music I just want to express my joy at the smattering of horror movie samples on this album; there’s no better way to create atmosphere and drag a horror fan like me into the pit. Introductory narrative ‘From Beyond…’ does exactly that before the title track bulldozes into your brain with a flurry of blasts and blustery riffs. It’s your archetypal death metal battering before the combo resorts to a mid-paced groove. In fact, there’s a good mix throughout of chunky mid-tempo grinding circa mid-90s, and faster rawer outbursts.

‘Slurping The Cerebral Slime’ is deliciously melodic, more so in the crisp lead department which spirals majestically from the billowing fumes of decay. Even so, it’s not the filthiest slab of death metal you’ll here, but there are plenty of squalid moments to tuck into as the guys explore death-doom territory

Some of the riffs provided are real heavyweight slogs; ‘Noxious Expungent’ and ‘Gravespawn’ lumber with sluggish intent, waiting to be pierced by a mournful cry of lead work or sudden cobweb blasting blizzard. The brilliantly titled ‘Drained Of Brains’ chugs like a chainsaw to the timely thuds of Quinn’s morbid percussion, while ‘Zombiefied’ grinds its gory gears with a deep gnawing passion, as does the closing namesake song ‘Rancid Cadaver’ before its grotesque gallop.

As death metal albums go in the modern era, Mortality Denied doesn’t exactly stand out, but that’s not necessarily its aim. As with a lot of this stuff it’s there to pummel with every macabre step. It’s also further evidence of the quality the UK scene continues to produce. Did I expect a bit more? Yes, but hey, the band continues to develop and I’ve no doubt that the cacophony served up here will shake plenty of coffins.

Neil Arnold

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