Customer Reviews

The Somatic Defilement

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Deathcore, a fusion of death metal and metalcore, has sky-rocketed in popularity recently, seemingly replacing metalcore. With bands like Suicide Silence and Job For A Cowboy (whom I despise each of), now all the Hot Topic kids find another genre to flock to.

To be blunt, I do NOT like deathcore. I feel it is a cash-in on death metal with blatant metalcore tendencies. Most bands end up sounding virtually identical (SS, JFAC, Salt The Wound, A Different Breed Of Killer, Knights Of The Abyss, Carnifex, Bring Me The Horizon, etc.). However, there are a few bands who stand out, and are more on the death metal side than metalcore. One of them is Despised Icon, whom i really enjoy. The other is Whitechapel.

Named after the county in London home to Jack the Ripper, this Tennessee-based brutal deathcore band really shows they're above other bands in this genre with this release. Given the label and associated acts, I did not expect anything good out of this release, but I looked it up just for giggles and laughs. What I got really impressed me.

First, the riffs. While three guitarists is very unnecessary for this genre, Zach Householder, Alex Wade, and Ben Savage do make moderate use of them. You'll often hear melody between two guitars to one low-heavy rhythm. There are a LOT of breakdowns on this album, but the riffs themselves are more than just segues to these breakdowns. There are many legit-death metal riffs here, and boy do they rule! Bassist Gabe Crisp doesn't have much shine time here, but his rhythms do flow well with the guitars, and add to the heaviness. Drummer Kevin Lane shows his talents well, with rapid-fire double bass and the signature breakdown grooves, he shows he has a lot of talent. And last but not least, we have frontman Phil Bozeman. He has good range, from a mid-range voice that sounds like a half-growl and half-shout, low gutturals, and high-pitched shrieks.

The best songs:

"Necrotizing" is the intro, which has a spoken word that sounds like it's from a documentary played to a blast beat that gradually gets louder, until it breaks into the title track. "The Somatic Defilement" is by far the best song Whitechapel has done. With the opening drum roll and scream, you get one hell of a ride. Phil's growls sound great on this song, and the guitarists play some crushing riffs. Even the breakdowns sound good. But it only gets better toward the end of the song, where it breaks into a Gothenburg-influenced riff combined with keyboards, with the lyric "Until death do us part we'll rot hand in hand." Easily the best song on the album, and in Whitechapel's arsenal.

"Prostatic Fluid Asphyxiation," given the title, is influenced by classic gore death metal. Phil's screams are in top form, his growls good, and the riffs are crushing throughout.

"Fairy Fay" begins with a quick drum fill, and breaks into a crushing riff/breakdown. Phil's vocals are great, and the breakdown is good.

"Vicer Exciser" is the first song I really heard by Whitechapel, and it seems to be one of their most popular songs. Containing their well known "In the name of anatomy..." lyric, the song is heavy, with breakdowns a-plenty.

The verdict:
Will this album change the very fabric of metal? No. Does this album contain revolutionary ideas? No. Is this album a shining light in the abysmal sea of deathcore. Definitely. Whitechapel did release a follow-up in July 08, but I believe that album is inferior. If you like this album, also get the last two albums by Despised Icon, as they are all good albums that prove there IS good deathcore.

Song ratings:
1. Necrotizing-(00:35)-N/A
2. The Somatic Defilement-(05:19)-6/5 Best song!
3. Devirgination Studies-(03:12)-5/5
4. Prostatic Fluid Asphyxiation-(03:33)-5/5
5. Fairy Fay-(03:33)-5/5
6. Ear to Ear-(03:30)-4/5
7. Alone in the Morgue-(02:53)-5/5
8. Festering Fiesta-(02:29)-5/5
9. Vicer Exciser-(02:52)-5/5
10. Articulo Mortis-(04:03)-5/5

"In the name of anatomy, I shall dismember and attain what is rightfully mine."

it isn't hard to imagine the members of the band Whitechapel doing a "Jack the Ripper" tour of the East End during a visit to London. Whitechapel are not a British band; the death metallers are actually from Knoxville, TN, but they chose their name because of Jack the Ripper. Never let it be said that death metal bands don't have a fascination with gruesome subject matter, which is quite plentiful on their debut album, Somatic Defilement. This 32-minute CD is full of references to death, murder, and mutilation, but tunes like "Alone in the Morgue," "Devirgination Studies," and "Vicer Exciser" come across as ironic rather than genuinely disturbing. Whitechapel's approach is best described as death metal with elements of technical metalcore; lead singer Phil Bozeman usually favors death metal's stereotypical "cookie monster" growl, but he sometimes detours into metalcore-ish screaming. The influences on this disc range from Carcass (the song titles "Prostatic Fluid Asphyxiation" and "Articulo Mortis" are certainly Carcass-like) to the Black Dahlia Murder (another metal band whose name was inspired by a senseless killing of long ago). Somatic Defilement isn't remarkable, but it offers a decent dose of bombast to those who like their death metal with some acknowledgement of technical metalcore.the perfect desert after watching the film FROM HELL...

This is my favorite album by Whitechapel to date. Whitechapel is one of my favorite bands. I've seen Whitechapel live 5 times. I bought this album in February 2008, after they were the opening act on the Darkest Hour, Cephalic Carnage, and Emmure tour. Their live set blew me away, so I had to buy this album. I've had this album on repeat a lot in the last few years, I still find myself putting this album on repeat from time to time. This is an Album I'll always remember as the years go by. To me personally this album is a masterpiece. I love the lyrics on this album, some of my favorite lyrics. If you like this genre of music, you must listen to Whitechapel, at least check out this album. I've meet the band a few times, and they are really nice dudes. Support this band they deserve it. They are on tour at least 10 months out of the year, and tour in a van. Whitechapel deserves to be known. They are starting to climb up the ladder, but they are not where I would like them to be. I would love for Whitechapel to be able to sell at least 20,000 copies of an album the first week of release, they've done half of that which is pretty good, for being in this genre of music, but since this genre of music is becoming more popular hopefully they will do better. I personally hope one day this kind of music will take over, because to me it's the best.

Whitechapel is brutally good. Lyrics are foul and well written. The "somatic defilement" has to be one of the best songs ever written. Not sure why everyone is concerned about putting a label on the style of music. It's Death Metal, plain and simple. Lyrically and musically. Hardcore (Sick Of It All,Born Against, Filth)doesn't even sound like this....so calling it "deathcore, metalcore", etc. is just lame. Very very good album overall, get it if you don't have it already. Turn it up and disgust the ones around you!!!!

This is another release in the growing "deathcore" genre. Basically it takes brutal death metal and adds hardcore-style breakdowns. Whitechapel in particular are highly technical and definitely brutal... but the songs don't really stick. I'd imagine they get the crowd worked into a frenzy live, but it just isn't quite enough to elevate them over the hordes of similar-minded acts popping up on a daily basis recently.

If you aren't hooked by the time the vocals start in "The Somatic Defilement", death metal is not for you. This is the best album i have ever heard. I have this album on every day on my Ipod the entire time I listen to it. Get it! If you don't want to get the entire album, at least get a few songs; whole album is great though, so not really any favorites for me.

Top 3 songs:
3. P.F.A.- Really cool, love the breakdowns and growls.
2. Vicer Exciser- A Lot of breakdowns. The breakdowns come together to make one
awesome song, though!
1. The Somatic Defilement- Takes a while for this to grow on you, but once it does it is the best song in the album!

So. Whitechapel. These guys are absolutely brutal. I am a fan of death metal mainly, but most certainly branch out into other genres. These guys are currently in the top 5. Others being Despised Icon, Heaven Shall Burn, Carnifex, and probably Winds of Plague. I saw Whitechapel live with Despised Icon and it was the most insane show I have been to. These guys most certainly deliver. Definitely recommend these guys, and this album over their official sophomore release.

The Somatic Defilement stays on the low and deep end of deathcore. I can't give a comment on any specific riffs, breakdowns or even songs, but as a whole, it's a dark and misogynistic tale, and absolutely the sound I'm looking for. Glancing over at the lyrics is about what you'd expect, you get everything from dismemberment to necrophilia and coprophagia, all with the same theme - absolute hatred towards women. Were these guys all screwed over by their girlfriends? If you're looking for something dark, brutal and relentless, look no further. This is a stand-out album, not to be missed.

Whitechapel just doesnt disappoint. I have this album and This is Exile album. Both are awsome metal albums. Going to see them and many more @ the Mayhem Festival in Cleveland this year. This is a band I highly recommend listening to. They have a fan 4 life from me.

Very mature for a debut album. Reminds you of Born of Osiris meets As Blood Runs Black...great selection for any metal maniac!