SonikGoat
What’s to be done with a corpse, you may ask? To most, a corpse is just a swiftly decaying pile of blood and guts—a mess, an inconvenience. Sure, you could burn it or dispose of it, but it will cost you time and effort. Wouldn’t it be more useful to repurpose it somehow? Let Molder show you the way. The band knows how to take a cadaver, reanimate it, imbue it with an undead will, and let it thrash around for 30 minutes or so. A most excellent and entertaining use for a heap of remains, wouldn’t you agree?
In my QAALM review, I mention two types of bands: those that strive to innovate and those that focus on perfecting a genre by crafting top-notch examples of it. Both are equally vital to the Metal experience, and of course, bands can do both if they choose—or if they’re capable. Molder of Illinois currently fall into the latter camp. With the talent on display, I wouldn’t be surprised if it broadens its collective horizons in the future. But for now, it’s an unapologetic, straight-up Death Metal band with an old-school flair, and for that, we should all be grateful.
If you enjoyed 2022’s Engrossed in Decay, you’ll be pleased to know that Catastrophic Reconfiguration follows in the same vein: fast, Floridian flourishes of bouncing, pulsing Death Metal, packed with choppy transitions and tight, succinct songwriting. The production is crispy and crunchy in all the right ways, with excellent detail and separation. Personally, I might prefer a mix that leans more “in your face”, but that’s more a matter of taste than a criticism.
The undoubted highlight for me is “Masked in Mold”, its Grindcore suddenly bursting to life with a sharp, kinetic tempo change halfway through. The album maintains a consistently high standard throughout, thanks to songwriting that clearly demonstrates how well Molder understand its gruesome craft. Aaren Pantke delivers an impressive John Tardy-esque snarl, while the liberal doses of Obituary and Autopsy influence add a savory touch to the compositional meat.
Despite the high entertainment factor of Catastrophic Reconfiguration, I can’t help but feel that Molder is holding back some deeper, darker necromantic secrets. Sure, the band has mastered the art of resurrecting corpses and making them dance, but I suspect it’s capable of far more. I wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually follows the path of other bands and start crafting more ambitious, experimental works. For now, though, this familiar yet fun brand of grooving, grind-inflected Death Metal is guaranteed to leave a trail of grinning fans in its wake.
Label: Prosthetic Records
Release date: 8 November, 2024
Website: https://www.facebook.com/MolderIL/
Country: USA
Score: 3.8/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 