Dying Fetus
Reign Supreme
Released: 19th June 2012
Death Metal
Relapse Records
“It’s not my fault I’m pregnant and I love drugs. Who cares? Fuck the baby, let it die”
Controversial and talented in equal measures, the Maryland trio Dying Fetus have returned with their seventh album. Reign Supreme – a bold statement, but an honest one.
Perennial underdogs since their inception 22 years ago, Dying Fetus have grown a dedicated fan base through extensive touring, hard work, and blistering live performances. Followers both new and old will relish this latest album, with 9 tracks (plus the obligatory ‘novelty’ bonus track – ‘Dead Whores Love To Fuck’,) of brutal, high intensity death metal.
If it looks like the Fetus, and sounds like the Fetus…it’s gotta be the Fetus! Their signature songwriting style is present from the start – John Gallagher and Sean Beasley’s fret melting runs and sweeps, abruptly collapsing into heavy grooves and brutal slam breakdowns. The musicianship is as uncompromising and technical as ever, complimented by the crisp production; making Reign Supreme the most professional sounding album in the band’s catalogue.
This is the second album with Trey Williams on drums, and his incredible ability shines throughout. It is hard to define the impact his warp speed grinding battery has, but after so many lineup changes, the current three-piece is quite possibly the best (in terms of sheer musicianship,) to date.
The shorter songs such as opener “Invert the Idols” and highlight “Dissidence” standout, their tight structures providing unrelenting aggression and technicality. The midpoint provides a mild respite with two ‘old school’, groove oriented songs. It is certain that every track on Reign Supreme has been designed for live performance first of all. Breakdowns (not of the -core variety!) feature regularly, and even on first play through you can actually see the pits forming for these future classics.
Dying Fetus walk the tightrope of new school tech and old school groove ethics perfectly, they craft brutal, sexy music, and with this album have firmly cemented their position at the highest echelon of modern death metal.
5/5
Tobias Gray
Valkyrian Music 