CATTLE DECAPITATION – Terrasite

Originally almost exclusively a grindcore act, the musical direction of the band has seemingly evolved with each new release developing a more technically progressive death metal approach. This direction both musically and lyrically has come to define the band and allowed the group to differentiate itself from the other acts that make up the ‘death metal scene’.

I’ve often wondered what the natural progression of a successful death metal act would sound like. Would it be an enhancement on technical side like the evolution of classic Death? Perhaps the vocals evolve a cleaner delivery like the melodic breakthrough of In Flames? Regardless of the direction I can honestly say I never expected this type of progression out of a band named Cattle Decapitation.

Cattle Decapitation is a death grind band from California formed in 1996. However, since 2001, none of the founding members reside in the band. Despite not being part of the founding lineup, Travis Ryan (Vocals) is the only constant member on all of Cattle Decapitation’s eight studio albums.

Originally almost exclusively a grindcore act, the musical direction of the band has seemingly evolved with each new release developing a more technically progressive death metal approach. This direction both musically and lyrically has come to define the band and allowed the group to differentiate itself from the other acts that make up the ‘death metal scene’.

One of the few groups whose message, the exploitation and consumption of animals, hits as hard as their music. The band is constantly pushing the apocalypse of humanity envelope. The lyrics are socially conscious and bring about a new standard of artistic excellence.

The band’s most recent effort, Terrasite, seemingly exemplifies this logic. A beautifully nasty album that whirls you through a tornado of brutality. Faster, with more emphasis on the melodic sections we’ve come to love. The technical work is still mindbogglingly heavy, but Cattle Decapitation has managed to take everything great about their previous album, Death Atlas, and magnified it by 1000!

This album is a complete disaster-piece, highlighting David McGraw’s iconic gravity beats, Josh Elmore’s insanely technical riffing and Olivier Pinard’s crushing bass. Combine this ungodly execution with Travis Ryan’s lyrics which tell the story of the death of mankind. A new species, derived from humans. Emerging from cocoons, the rise of an insect-like humanoid, the Terrasite. A creature born to literally eat the earth into nothing! Highlight Tracks for me are: “We Eat Our Young”, “Scourge Of The Offspring”, “Earth Eater”, “A Photic Doom”, “The Storm Upstairs”, “Dead End Residents” and “Just Another Body”.

This album is a natural continuation of Death Atlas and perpetuates the sentiment that we’ve brought this all on ourselves. The collective suicide society deserves.

One could argue that Terrasite is the best album Cattle Decapitation has ever released. Ironically, I used to say the same thing about Death Atlas. Who knows? Maybe the band will outdo themselves again and release an album even better than this.

If you’ve just left your cocoon and somehow haven’t heard this album yet, do yourself a massive favor and listen to it. \m/