### Cattle Decapitation: The harvest floor

#### 11/02/09 || Euthanatos

What do I know of Cattle Decapitation? Not much, I’m ashamed to say. I’m not ashamed because I should know of every band out there; there are simply too many to keep track, even if you’re in the business of regularly listening to albums and reviewing them. Actually, the reason I now feel kind of dumb for not knowing them is because they’re really fucking good. And since death metal is often drowned in repetitive, sleepy generic fucks, it’s nice to see something fresh. And with a name like that? That’s right up there with Pig Destroyer as one of the coolest band names ever. I’m totally in favour of animal mutilation for the good of metal.

This is only Cattle Decapitation’s fourth album, though, so I’m still in time to jump on their wagon, no sexual pun intended. I’d also like to point out that I love the song titles. More brownie points there. The thing that fascinates me about this record is that while it is undeniably extreme death metal, it shows an immense amount of harmony and progressive bits and pieces. All of that adds up to quite an appealing whole; desperate music laced with tenderness. Aw. There isn’t much not to like here. The riffs are catchy as fuck. The guitar work here actually made me think of Morbid Angel’s “Altars of Madness” on speed. Think “Visions From the Dark Side” on steroids. That pretty much sums up “The Harvest Floor”.

The vocals are varied and strong, reminds me sometimes of Piotr from Vader, but with more depth. A lot more depth. Only annoying bit is when he goes into sonic-only-dogs-can-hear-mode-Mortician-style. I’m not fond of that, but fortunately it’s kept to a minimum. The drumming is also intense.

A very, very entertaining slab of death metal, just ready to be plucked out and laid with care into your bosom. I have no idea what I’m talking about, but it’s good and you should listen to it.

The cover: Very fitting. Flock of humans being driven to a furnace of some kind. Hey, just like the Holocaust! Edgy.

8 veggie burgers out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Metal Blade Records
- Website: www.cattledecapitation.com
- Band
- Travis Ryan: vocals
- Josh Elmore: guitars
- Troy Oftedal: bass
- David McGraw: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. The Gardeners of Eden
- 02. A Body Farm
- 03. We are Horrible People
- 04. Tooth Enamel & Concrete
- 05. The Ripe Beneath the Rind
- 06. The Product Alive
- 07. In Axetasy
- 08. Into the Public Bath
- 09. The Harvest Floor
- 10. Regret & the Grave