Year: 2021
Total Time: 35:48
Label: Metal Blade
“Mount Carcass” is the second effort by this quintet that comes from Hamburg, Germany and third overall in their short career. ENDSEEKER are trying to extend their Death Metal making it more Swedish, trying to step on ENTOMBED and DISMEMBER among others, but keeping a distance at the same time, in order not to be another clone band. For me, this fact that many newer groups are expressing their love for the big names, without being tribute or replica bands, is quite remarkable.
From the beginning of this release, there is a feeling that something good is happening, with constant supersonic riffs (quite technical and melodic), yet violent and solid, with the excellent collaboration of the rhythm section. In many cases we can see the group’ s love for MORBID ANGEL and SLAYER as the song structure seems to be less simple than in the “The Harvest”, due to abstention from live gigs.
Lyrical themes vary from splatter and gore subjects to a more focused look at the ever growing phenomenon of consumerism and the effects on the society. “Mount Carcass” cover stands as an image of this world with the rich climbers – The government of Nepal charges each climber 40.000 dollars forming a queue in order to reach the top of Everest, crowding and fully dependent from the sudden weather changes. Most of them succeed but there are almost 200 bodies left abandoned aside the trail frozen, reminding to the others that money can’t earn everything.
“Merciless Tides” and “Unholy Rites” are significant tracks of pure Swedish Death Metal, very melodic and catchy, but there are also some funny moments, for example “Frantic Redemption”. It refers to a true story where a bear in the USA ate a 30 kg cocaine package that left abandoned in the woods, worthy 15 million US Dollars. After quite a lot of adventures the bear was embalmed and transported to a mall bearing a plate as “Pablo Escobear”. There is also a cover version of John Carpenter’s “Escape From New York” , a tribute to this movie that becomes 40 years old and is something quite different from ENDSEEKER’s standards.
ENDSEEKER are not reinventing the wheel but it is obvious that they are giving their best to move forward. “Mount Carcass” is melodic, old fashioned in a way, but enjoyable at the same time, without being wordy and fatigue. The album was mixed and produced at Chameleon Studios in Hamburg and is in a high level with all the instruments in the right position and Lenny’s significant voice. “Mount Carcass” is a fair proposition for Death Metal fans and, for sure, it will satisfy them.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: ENDSEEKER – Official Page
