Denver (by way of Oakland)'s Scolex and San Jose's Mortuous make death metal of the filthiest strain. The riffs drip with slime, the vocals seem to spew from their throats. It's only fitting the two projects come together to turn someone's personal space into festering horror.
Both bands emphasize quality over quantity in their years. Combined, the two projects have three demos and a full-length. Still, each composition is death metal done in a most sinister way. Of course, that same craft shines on their new split. Each band brings a vicious song in a fusion of some of the genre's sickest minds.
Scolex; Photo by Mark Costantini
For Erika Osterhout (guitars/vocals) and Justin Green (guitars/drums/vocals), Scolex returns from hiatus to show they haven't missed a step. Osterhout also plays in Necrosic, Trepanation and as a live member for Acephalix. For Green, he's in Extraction and used to feature in Ghoul and Worm Ouroboros. The time away from their project was no vacation; their work in other bands keeps Scolex sharp. It's very apparent on "Black Pyramid Ritual." The duo has been playing the track live for a number of years, but it finally sees a proper recording. The five and a half minute bruiser takes a mid-tempo plod—akin to Autopsy's pacing—and smatters it with occasional bursts of buzzsaw riffs and a blazing solo. It ultimately captures Osterhout and Green's nostalgic knack.
Mortuous; Photo by Chris Johnston
The mid-tempo madness continues with "Desiccated." Mortuous is coming off a huge new album earlier this year called, Through Wilderness. Their contribution to the split falls into a similar vein as the album. Founded by Colin Tarvin (guitars/vocals), the project soon turned into a full project. In 2018, they're hitting their stride. They feature Chad Gailey (drums, Atrament, Necrot), Clint Roach (bass), and Mike Beams (guitars/vocals, ex-Exhumed, Repulsion, Noothgrush). The quartet lays down a murky array of furious kick/crash drum patterns, fiery guitar licks, and utterly vomitous vocals. The track caps off a productive and successful year for the California band.
Listen to an exclusive stream of the split now. It officially arrives on Halloween from Carbonized Records. Pre-order a copy of the release now.
