Consumption – Catharsis

Stargazer Scholar

What makes a Metal song great?

I hope you’ll forgive me for this oversimplification. Despite the obvious personal filter that always comes into play whenever we talk about music, there is still something undeniably universal about the songs that work. You’re welcome to share your thoughts on what this X factor might be (fun fact: we have a comment section), and I promise to provide my own take in the conclusion of this review. But while you’re pondering, allow me to introduce an album that made me reflect on such existential mysteries in the first place. Enter Catharsis, the third offering by the Swedish Death Metal entity Consumption.

Despite its geographic affiliation, Consumption is, to my immense relief, not another OSDM HM2-worship act. Yes, a minor case of Stockholm-inspired ungodliness is easy to detect, but all the main symptoms point to another major source of contagion: Carcass! Metallic sharpness coupled with melody evokes the early ’90s. Shades of Necroticism and Heartwork may haunt Catharsis at every turn, but the subject of our investigation is in no immediate danger of being completely possessed, as the Scandinavian gloom always shines through the hard-rocking depravity. The vocals spew filth in growls, croaks, and even Demilich-like gurgles. The guitars churn out melodic and groovy riffs and erupt with Amott-esque solos, while the drummer contributes a few delightful fills. The production adds a pleasantly murky tinge to the decaying texture of this beast, and the energy pounding in its veins feels unaffected and pure. Yeah, the attitude and passion are definitely in place. But what about the songwriting?

For better or worse, the gentlemen of Consumption have a formula. An explosive riff—or even a drum intro—leads into an aggressive verse, which invariably transitions into a more melodic and memorable chorus, underscored by appropriately tuneful guitar work. It’s a viable recipe. Every song is thoroughly entertaining, and the diversity of tempos and styles keeps the record fresh throughout. However, every formula brings an element of predictability, and a few tracks lack the focus needed to make the transitions feel more natural. At their peak, Consumption is unstoppable. Tracks like “Piece by Piece Devoured” and “Mortal Mess” are absurdly good. The melodic riff in the chorus of the former will linger in your head for ages, and its emergence is entirely justified by the song’s flow. “The Guillotine Dream” and “The Cleaver Falls” are equally impressive. And yet, you’d be hard-pressed to find a track on Catharsis that is either exclusively brutal or entirely melodic, which might be an avenue worth exploring in the future. Trimming the record by a few songs could have been wise as well, as 50 minutes is a bit ambitious for a Death Metal album.

To conclude, allow me to return to the opening question: What makes a song great? In my opinion, a piece of music succeeds when each of its parts—exciting and fresh on their own—works in synergy with the rest. Move the solo to another track, and it will lose its impact. Shift the bridge to a different tune, and it will stop making sense. Play a different riff in the outro, and the song will feel incomplete. Consumption comes achingly close to unlocking this secret. However, by valiantly sticking to a pattern of alternating harshness and melody, the band has delivered a record brimming with tasty ideas that occasionally feel interchangeable despite their individual charm. That being said, there’s no use in fretting over what might have been. Catharsis is fun as it is, and I salute the band for their musicianship and songwriting. Well done! You’ve earned yourselves a new fan.

Label: Dusktone

Release date: January 31, 2025

Website: https://www.facebook.com/consumptionsweden

Country: Sweden

Score: a solid 3.5/5 that is fun and has room to grow