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Jungle Rot: Kill on command
20/09/11 || revenant
“Now this is some good shit. Death metal packed with crushing grooves and catchy as fuck, this ties with Origin for first in this edition for me. Only down side is the drum sound, but it’s not big issue.” That was what I said some two months ago of this album in the August edition of Audio Autopsy after just a handful of listens. So two months and a few more listens later has my opinion changed any? Not a lot, this album is every bit as catchy and enjoyable as it was back then.
The music, as you can no doubt conclude from my intro (unless you have the IQ of a politician) is all about teh groove. Sure there is the odd thrashy moments here and there, but this album’s core is old school groovin’. Songs a pretty simply structured, with one or two riffs and a catchy chorus. It’s genuinely no frills metal and certainly nothing we haven’t heard a million times over. But regardless of that, these guys are veterans and they do it so damn well it’s hard not to like this album.
Unfortunately for many this album’s strengths will be seen as it’s main weaknesses. While being very catchy and groovy, it’s also as shallow as a puddle. It’s pretty damn clear Jungle Rot didn’t push themselves to the limit on this record. All the songs follow the age old “verse – chorus – verse – chorus – breakdown and guitar solo – chorus” pattern, and while this is no issue on the strong tracks, it does make some of the lesser tracks on the album a ho-hum affair because they are just too predictable.
Strong tracks, though, are prevalent enough to ensure this album sits above the pack. Just listen to the first five tracks – all crushing groove monsters with a hell of a kick. If you can sit through these tracks and resist nodding your head with a wry smile cracking the corner of your mouth, then I seriously doubt your metal credentials. And let’s not forget to mention “No mercy (from the merciless)” which is probably the catchiest song of 2011. I fucken love this track.
I should clarify my drum sound comment I made in AA as well. The bass drum has that “tap shoes” sound you sometimes get. I hate that sound, but it doesn’t detract from this album in any way.
So let me summarize it like this: if you’re a demanding listener who likes deep and considered songs that challenge the grey matter then this is not for you. But if you want an album with a bunch of groovy, catchy head banging songs that are simple and easy to enjoy, then this album is a sure winner.
- Information
- Released: 2011
- Label: Victory Records
- Website: Jungle Rot MySpace
- Band
- Dave Matrise: vocals, guitars
- Geoff Bub: guitars
- James Genenz: bass
- Jesse Beahler: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Their Finest Hour
- 02. Bloodties
- 03. Rise Up and Revolt
- 04. Kill on Command
- 05. Demoralized
- 06. Push Comes to Shove
- 07. I Predict a Riot
- 08. No Mercy (from the Merciless)
- 09. Born of Contagion
- 10. Life Negated
