Voyage Into Sickness: Devourment
Death Metal has always been a form of music very near and dear to my heart. I’ve been listening to it since I was twelve years old and not once have I ever grown tired of it. I’ve heard many people describe their fondness for extreme music and how much they enjoy, but in many cases, Death Metal runs much deeper for me.
In a way, I consider this music to be more than just something to listen to. Death Metal, to me at least, is a way of life. And no, by that, I don’t mean that I enjoy going out and feasting on unborn children, murdering prostitutes, or worshipping Satan…well, maybe the Satan part…but that’s not the point. Over the 8 years I’ve been a devotee of this genre, I’ve met some of the best friends I have because of the music.
It’s a very special feeling to know that there are people aside from yourself who enjoy this music, because as we all know, it’s definitely not for everyone. When someone walks by in a My Chemical Romance t-shirt or a Slipknot t-shirt, I barely notice them. However, to see a shirt for a band like Deeds of Flesh or Morbid Angel sends a signal to the mind of a Death Metal fan.
This music is so special to the people who love it and to find others on the globe that share that same passion for it that you do is just…it’s moving beyond words. To have friends who are totally different from you in every single way, and yet be united because of the music is a moving experience and a testament to the family atmosphere of the genre.
While I enjoy a wide range of metal styles and other musical styles, nothing really compares to the feeling I get from my beloved Death Metal. And that is why, for my column, I will be featuring the best bands, labels, and artists who make my beloved genre thrive.
Now, I’m sure most of you know bands like Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Obituary, Morbid Angel, and their contemporaries. Correct? This feature won’t focus on those bands. While I’m a fan of those bands, there are bands the metal media isn’t telling you about…and that’s where I come in.
For example, the first band to be featured in my column is one of the most violent, destructive, and sickening death metal bands to ever walk the face of the earth…and yet, they never had a major record deal. Their faces were never plastered in magazines and they never sold one million collective albums…but because of their fans’ devotion to their music, they’ve become one of the most beloved bands of the underground.
That band is Devourment. Spawned in 1995 by the former members of Necrocide, Devourment set out with one goal…to make the most violent and grotesque music ever heard by mankind. To say they succeeded would be an understatement. From the hellaciously guttural vocals to the filth-ridden guitar sound and blast-happy drums, Devourment created something so vile that only those who could truly comprehend the meaning of audio sickness would be able to fully enjoy it. Their music isn’t melodic, it’s not mathematical, and it’s not epic. This is filthy, sludge-drenched Death Metal that takes the definition of digusting to a new level.
And I love it.
So, for you Devourment beginners, let’s start off with a little review, shall we?
In 1997, the band unleashed their demo, simply entitled Impaled. The music contained on this demo merely scratched the surface of what Devourment would do, but still, it’s as violent as anything else they’ve done. I can imagine that when this first came out, the uttering of the phrase “Jesus H. Christ!” was heard loud and clear from Death Metal fans everywhere. Never before had such blatant brutality been unleashed in recorded format.
From the vocal sewers of Wayne Knupp’s throat to the fervent guitar work of Kevin Clark and Brain, the demo would jumpstart Devourment’s path to death metal greatness. However, after some internal problems, Wayne exited Devourment prior to the making of the next album. I enjoyed Wayne’s vocals on the demo, but his replacement’s performance would go down as the greatest in the history of brutal death metal…in my own, humble opinion.
The band’s first full length, Molesting The Decapitated, is easily the most twisted and relentless underground death metal album ever recorded. I say that as a fan and as a believer in what Devourment was doing. The level of hostility displayed here was nothing that had ever been heard before. The guitars were filthier, Mike Majewski’s bass finally came through in the mix, and Fincher’s drumming was even more insane than on the demo.
However, the brightest moment of this release in my eyes were the vocals of new singer, Ruben Rosas. As a vocalist myself, I still listen to this record and find myself continually amazed at the deep spews Ruben vomited forth on this disc. As grotesque as Wayne sounded, Ruben was ten times as vile as that. It’s frightening.
As far as material goes, you need only look at the song titles “Choking On Bile”, “Fucked To Death”, and “Festering Vomitous Mass” to know what the lyrical content and musical output is like. Digusting, vile, rancid…excellent.
Unfortunately, following some more issues with the band, Devourment remained inactive for many years following this release. Aside from 1.3.8., which was the band’s complete recording collection, and a song called “Babykiller” nothing new emerged from the Devourment camp for quite some time. Then, in 2005, the band reunited as a four-piece moving bassist Mike Majewski to vocals (vocalist Wayne Knupp returned briefly, but exited soon after) Ruben to guitar, and enlisting new members Chris Andrews on bass and Eric Park on drums.
What followed was the release of Butcher The Weak. For Devourment, the time spent away from the genre made them even sicker than before. Featuring more deliciously obscene lyrical content than before and a new found musical tightness, Butcher The Weak easily ranks as the best Devourment album to date. Shortly after it’s release, the band re-recorded the album and though it was amazing before, it’s nothing short of godly now. It will be released this summer on Brutal Bands Records to coincide with their appearance at the Central Illinois Metal Festival.
For those of you wondering, all of my columns will not be this long, but for a band like Devourment I had to go all out with it. For those of you who think you’ve heard the sickest, think again. For more sickness, visit them online at their site and experience the best the underground has to offer.
Until next time, my devilish brothers and sisters…
Josh | 06/16/2006