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CEMETERY LUST
Orgies Of Abomination

Hells Headbangers (2014)
Rating: 7/10

When a band describes their sound as “rape thrash”, I think it’s fair to say that the album they release is not going to be an easy ride.

Portland, Oregon’s Cemetery Lust are an uncompromising bunch who go by the pseudonyms of Crystal Seth (guitar), Nasty Nate (guitar), Raypist (bass), Disgustor (drums), and the less threatening Andrew Angeldust (vocals). One quick look at some of the band photographs suggests to me that these unhinged metalheads are an old school sounding thrash act, and one spin of their new record confirms my suspicions.

Orgies Of Abomination is the second full-length release from this combo who formed in 2009. It follows on from 2012’s Screams Of The Violated, which emerged after four demo releases. So, the concern for me here before listening was that Cemetery Lust’s latest chunk of rotten meat was going to be a predictable and somewhat cheesy affair. After all, with track titles such as ‘Cum On The Cross’, ‘Cyborg Sex Machine’ and ‘Bloody Whore Bath’, I was actually expecting a death metal version of Steel Panther. Thankfully, it’s not quite as bad as that.

While Cemetery Lust are clearly a combo who lean towards the crustier side of thrash metal, they come armoured with inverted crosses, studded wristbands and battle jackets adorned with patches of all of their favourite bands. So, to some extent there is the formulaic aspect about much of this revival thrash doing the rounds, and sadly, for every good band there are at least ten atrocious ones.

However, after a brief introduction (‘Inhumane Indulgence’) Cemetery Lust rattle on with their unholy brand of blackened thrash which, despite some of the dodgy lyrics, is in fact a half-decent affair boasting catchy, rapid-fire rusty riffs, wayward solos of the perverse and well-soiled percussive hysteria. Think old Sodom, old Slayer, old Kreator, and the likes – all very oily, charcoaled and filthy, but above all harbouring some excellent riffs.

My favourite chugging emerges from the bowels of ‘Malice In The Morgue’, which is old Anthrax teamed up with something far more blasphemous and filthy. Indeed, while rarely original, Cemetery Lust’s new opus relies on its ability to thrash hard, fast and raw. It does this with consummate ease, while Andrew Angeldust’s vocals have the archetypal rough ‘n’ ready roar and rasp.

That awfully titled ‘Cyborg Sex Machine’ is far better than its title suggests, specifically a lethal concoction of frothing riffs and maniacal drums. The guitars throughout are frantic, reminding me of those old Razor albums in its frenetic nature. There’s never a let up however, as ‘Tenement’, ‘Devil’s Grave Disturbance’ and ‘S.T.D. (Sexually Transmitted Death)’ all hint at that early Slayer sound but with added punky tarnishing.

Orgies Of Abomination is a good little record that does well to ape the foetid sound of years gone by. Although it lacks substantial thrills, some of the riffs are extremely infectious and will have you dabbing the sores long after they’ve made their mark.

Neil Arnold

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