Label - Unique Leader Records
Release Date - 13 May 2022
Words - Chris Fletcher
Since bursting on to the death metal scene in 1994, Wisconsin four piece Jungle Rot have been a beacon of consistency in a tumultuous sea of varying quality within the death metal walls. Back with their new album, A Call to Arms, their first since 2018’s well received self-titled record, the band are ready to continue their run of good quality releases and give us all whiplash in the process.
Opening with a slow riff that builds both tension and anticipation, the opening song and title track kicks things off in trademark style and sets the blueprint for the rest of the record with grooves so infectious you could do with a vaccine for them before giving way to second track ‘Asymmetric Warfare’ which has such a stomp you won’t know whether to head-bang, air guitar or just throw yourself out the nearest window. Later on in the record ‘Maggot infested’ is reminiscent of later Carcass which is certainly no bad thing.
Aside from the previously mentioned groove and heft, the standout points of this record which set it apart from a lot of today’s death metal are twofold. Firstly the vocals, which manage to fit right at home here whilst being completely audible, borrowing from the more extreme ends of thrash metal in this regard. Secondly, the lead guitar lines which underpin the riffs throughout the album’s sub 35 minute run time bring an extra element to proceedings.
Production wise there is absolutely nothing to complaint about. Everything is clearly audible without ever sounding too polished which is the perfect balance for this style of groove laden death metal. Co-produced by Chris Djuricic and the band themselves, they look to have found a combination that works incredibly well for them.
If there is one minor criticism of this record it would be that, whilst the band stand out within the death metal scene at large, it could be argued that there could be more variation between the individual tracks on the album. However, with that being said, sometimes you just want to bang your head and enjoy the groove and ‘A Call to Arms’ certainly ticks those boxes.
Overall, this is a good quality slab of rotting death metal with a healthy dose of thrash metal chucked in for good measure. Death metal purists looking for something to get excited about could do worse than this. Despite their name and their 25 plus years in the game, Jungle Rot are offering something fresh to the death metal scene.
8/10.
Comments