Sometimes, as a reviewer, I wonder if bands are seriously trying to destroy my taste or if they’re just trolling me to see how far they can push us with the most heinous combinations of noise (looking at you, True kvlt classics). Mephitic Corpse has a new album titled Sickness Attracts Sickness, and though the artwork initially made me think of old Cannibal Corpse, I quickly realized that the horror had just begun. Let’s just say I wasn’t prepared for what came next.
How do I put this? This album is some of the most rancid, primal, and disgusting Metal/Grindcore I’ve ever reviewed in my blogging career. It’s like eating out of a rusty tuna can. It sounds as if it were recorded in 1992—except it’s 2025, and it takes real effort to make something sound this decadent. “Sure, the production is rough, but how about the music, Catto?” I’m glad you asked, because that’s where things get a bit less disturbing. The album sticks to underground Grindcore formulas that, as much as I hate to admit it, do work—especially when it comes to making me reassess my life priorities.
The guitar tone here is the equivalent of maxing out all your settings just to see what happens (spoiler: only disturbing things happen). That said, I did enjoy the drumming; it reminded me of old Cryptopsy, and that’s always a win in my book. I just wish the drums were louder in the mix. The songs don’t waste any time—they focus entirely on inflicting as much damage as possible and then vanish before you can catch your breath. Nothing new there! Grindcore’s mission is to trash everything and leave faster than a three-year-old.
If you haven’t noticed yet, I have mixed feelings about the album, and it’s not because of the production. At MER, we have a whole section dedicated to lo-fi releases. My biggest issue lies with the songwriting—it’s a bit too safe. It revisits ideas we’ve seen before, and that’s the risk you run when you create something so primitive in nature. You end up imposing limits that force the final product to rely on what has always worked.
Mephitic Corpse is a test for anyone who thinks they’re into rawness. Its essence is so chaotic and primal that I wasn’t sure what to make of it. I still suspect there’s a bit of “we’re laughing at our audience” energy here, but it’s hard to tell amidst all those buzzing riffs. However, if you love Grindcore, ignore everything I’ve said here. This is exactly what you’re looking for, and you’ll probably have it on constant rotation for a month or two. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a shower. All this gore has made me feel filthy.
Label: Extremely Rotten Productions / Headsplit Records / 625 Thrashcore
Release date: February 1, 2025
Website: https://mephiticcorpse.bandcamp.com/album/sickness-attracts-sickness
Country: USA
Score: 1.5/5.0, but it flows like waste in a sewer
Metal Eclipse Reviews 