Album Review: Pissgrave’s Suicide Euphoria Will F*ck You Up
We know what you’re thinking, but it’s not like that. Pissgrave. The word itself conjures majestic vistas of snow-crowned peaks overlooking lush sylvan greenscapes glimmering in the sun’s soft embrace. The mind lifts into the aether. The spirit soars. All being is light.
Oh, wait… Pissgrave? Shit, nevermind. I was thinking of the word Corpseclit.
The cover art is a good start, image-wise, but we suggest that Profound Lore package the CDs (and eventually vinyl?) for shipping while truly keeping the sound of the music in mind. First, slip the disc into an envelope already three-quarters full of semi-solid human waste (freshness negotiable), then seal tightly. Lay the envelope in a box, then cover with leeches and a layer of scum-clogged water, close and seal. Finally, powder the box with some highly-contagious flesh-eating agent and seal with plastic wrap. Nothing says “We love the fans!” like this kind of attention to detail, ensuring each purchaser the full Pissgrave experience.
Whatever packaging the label settles on, let’s hope nobody includes lyrics with the liner notes, thus robbing the paying audience of the opportunity to not have a fucking clue what is going on vocally on Suicide Euphoria. That is some seriously bestial shit. Not only are the vocals distorted to sound like a mike got tucked up inside a terminal IBS patient’s hairy sphincter, there appear to be two layers – a midrange bellow accompanied by its deeper, croakier shadow. The whole mess bashes its way through a galloping, slashing, shredding cacophony that might be considered death metal by someone who had absolutely no idea what death metal might sound like. Of course, this has been the style of over-the-top blast-death onslaught that Profound Lore has championed ever since Headmaster Bruni excavated Portal from down under and made them a flagship band. Not that Pissgrave really sound like Portal, but it’s still ultra-heavy music taken to a fucked-up place that will most definitely fuck you up.
That’s all upside. Downsides? The sonic range of Suicide Euphoria is pretty narrow, but it was clearly meant to be, and besides, that’s also part of the allure. Still, beyond the overwhelming urge to hunt-maim-kill, the album doesn’t display a whole lot of imagination. Like a slightly less noisy Teitanblood, Pissgrave leave zero space for highlights… but similarly, there is no moment that disappoints or falls short of its target. Listening online is highly recommended. Buy a physical copy and there are only two options: The packaging will infect you, or it will disappoint you.
Pissgrave’s Suicide Euphoria comes out August 7 on Profound Lore. You can stream the track “Impaled Vibration” here and pre-order the album here.
