Groove-Laden Carnage Awakens: A Review of Sanguisugabogg’s ‘Homicidal Ecstasy!’
Sanguisugabogg Review:
I gotta admit, I’m not familiar with many of the new wave of death metal bands flooding the scene currently. I was born in the ‘80s and grew up in the ‘90s during the flourishing days of death metal.
Earache and Nuclear Blast were releasing genre defining bands such as Dismember, Napalm Death, Carcass, Bolt Thrower, Entombed, Morbid Angel, Monstrosity, etcetera, while Roadrunner Records had bands such as Malevolent Creation, Deicide, Gorguts, Immolation, Suffocation, etcetera. Metal Blade had the mighty Cannibal Corpse. Century Media Records whom Sanguisugabogg are currently signed to had Asyphx, Morgoth, Grave, Unleashed etcetera.
Fortunately, I listened to the Morbid Horror Podcast Presented by Severed Cinema. The host Brandon Terry had front man Devin Swank of Sanguisugabogg featured on an episode. This got me to check out the band. Severed founder/owner/editor Chris Severed also listened to Homicidal Ecstasy and had high praise for it. The band’s name comes from the words sanguisuga which hails from the Latin word for leech and bogg which is English slang for toilet. The bands barely legible logo comes from Bridget Barns and has been modified by the band itself. I’ve had numerous listens of Homicidal Ecstasy and enjoyed it so much so I’ve decided to write a review to let you know you should definitely check this shit out.
I’ve managed to listen to a few of the new era of death metal groups such as 200 Stab Wounds, Creeping Death, Vomit Forth, and Frozen Soul. Overall, they are impressive styles and well executed. Sanguisugabogg came on the scene with their 2019 EP Pornographic Seizures, which caused a stir and quickly gained momentum. Vocalist Swank made it known their biggest influence is Cannibal Corpse and rightfully so. They are probably the biggest and most active band in the genre who have stood the test of time. Other influences on the band such as Dying Fetus, Scattered Remnants, and Internal Bleeding are also mentioned.
Hailing from Dayton Ohio, birthplace of infamous indie filmmaker/actor Jim Van Bebber and his cult classic Deadbeat at Dawn. Sanguisugabogg call themselves down tuned drug death which is not a first for the death/grind/slam genre. Bands like Disphenylchorasine have described their style as Biochemical Sludge Slam and so forth. Upon listening to Homicidal Ecstasy, I immediately hear very strong hardcore/beatdown influences mixed with death/slam. The vocals from Devin Swank are more deathcore influenced than say traditional cupped microphone death metal vocals or gurgling goregrind/brutal death vocals. Fortunately, there is no pig squealing on this, a vocal style I absolutely detest. I do get hints of recent Broken Hope on the vocals in particular parts but overall, I enjoy the simplicity of the stripped-down vocal style on Homicidal Ecstasy.
The drumming on Homicidal Ecstasy by Cody Davidson is at the forefront of the release. It shines throughout each song, the time changes, fills, tempo changes, and groove penetrate like a hot knife slicing through butter. The entire drum performance is one of the pinnacles of the entire album.
The single Face Ripped Off features vocals from Aaron Heard of the band Jesus Piece which sorta solidifies that hardcore influence you hear on the album. There is also a gory music video that accompanies the track, similar themes you would see in a Cannibal Corpse/Dying Fetus/Cattle Decapitation video.
Homicidal Ecstasy is just a groove-ladened album in its entirety. The guitarists grind out solid material on each track with memorable compositions although similar in structure.
There are plenty of blast beats, but Sanguisugabogg truly shine when going for mid-paced slams. It results in absolute catchy toe tapping material. The opening track Black Market Vasectomy and the closing track Feening for Bloodshed are a couple of my favorites on the album. Homicidal Ecstasy is a memorable release and an amazing way to introduce us old school death metal heads into the world of the new era.
Album Info:
Band: Sanguisugabogg
Album: Homicidal Ecstasy
Members: Devin Swank (vocals), Cody Davidson (drums), Ced Davis (guitars), Drew Arnold (guitars)
Year: 2023
Country: USA
Runtime: 45min 16sec
Label: Century Media Records
Track Listing:
01. Black Market Vasectomy
02. Face Ripped Off
03. Pissed
04. Testicular Rot
05. Hungry for Your Insides
06. Skin Cushion
07. A Lesson in Savagery
08. Narcissistic Incisions
09. Mortal Admonishment
10. Proclamation of the Frail
11. Necrosexual Deviant
12. Feening for Bloodshed