As someone who is a huge fan of the current state of old school death metal revivals by various artists such as Tomb Mold, Frozen Soul, Undeath, and many others, Ohio’s Sanguisugabogg is perhaps one of the best bands to come out of the underground. Truth be told, their latest offering, “Homicidal Ecstasy,” is a powerhouse-driven record from front to back.
Released on Century Media Records, “Homicidal Ecstasy” is the sophomore full-length recording by Sanguisugabogg and is the follow-up to their 2021 debut album “Tortured Whole,” which was a divisive album for many critics. However, this album is more refined, constructed, and the band’s most diverse album to date.
Sanguisugabogg’s style of death metal is written all over the place, combining elements of the old school death metal formula, more so in the veins of Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under, Incantation, and the more groovy, brutal-laden style of extreme metal, similar to other bands such as Mortician, Fulci, and Fluids, to name a few.
What makes “Homicidal Ecstasy” stand out in comparison to “Tortured Whole” is that the musicianship is tighter, stronger, and better than the band has ever sounded before, and the production here is very polished, and not as monotonous as it was in “Tortured Whole.”
Lyrically, the band is also well-known for its gory and perversion-styled songwriting, in which vocalist and songwriter Devin Swank took inspiration from listening to other brutal death metal bands. I can proudly say this is by far his strongest and finest achievement he has ever sounded and delivered.
As far as craftsmanship is concerned, every member of Sanguisugabogg outshines themselves to play their rightful instruments in which everything is very audible in the mixing department. The guitars, drums, bass, and vocals are much more dominant and crystal clear.
With tracks such as “Pissed,” “Necrosexual Deviant,” “Narcissistic Incisions,” and “Feening for Bloodshed,” not only will you hear the traditional Sanguisugabogg sound fans are known for, but they also expanded their sound by incorporating more groove and structured tones, which reminded me a lot of early Cannibal Corpse, specifically the Vile era known for its ministering and unrelenting approach. Not only was I on the edge of my seat hearing the album front to back, but this is full headbanging territory non-stop that I can’t seem to get enough of.
Sanguisugabogg’s “Homicidal Ecstasy” is an album full of memorable moments that deserves your attention.
