Album Review: Pathogenic Virulence – Scourged (Brutal Mind Records)

Pathogenic Virulence, the London-based slamming brutal death metal band, will release their brand-new album, ‘Scourged’ on July 31st, 2024, via Brutal Mind Records.

Creating feelings of revulsion via the medium of strong horror atmosphere, and building to a cacophony of disturbing death metal noise, Pathogenic Virulence start this album off in attention-grabbing style. It’s more than just an intro, it’s a gooey welcome to The Pit of Primordial Ooze and the calibre of their vicious ways is on full and garish display.

Whereas that opener was notably heavy, the following Subsequent Assimilation is notably fast and has interesting technical twists. Pathogenic Virulence still embody the sound of death and destruction, but it’s the first sign that there’s a bit more to them. Something that continues to rear its head throughout A Deity of Engorged Horror and Cephalic Insemination.

The former features guest vocals from Angel Ochoa, giving an already nasty track an even darker edge. Whereas the latter delivers on the promise of flesh tearing riffs, bone crushing drum beats, and vocals that are demonically charged. While there may not be too much in the way of freshness to this sound, when it’s as hard hitting and horrible sounding as this, it’s hard not to enjoy the rancidity of it all.

It’s that, and a love of extreme metal of course, which ensures interest is still high as Pathogenic Virulence continue to push the limits of speed and heaviness with Anomalous Genetic Absorption, Ruptured Orificies and Embryonic Predator. Each has its own merits that ensure a level of memorability, but it is the latter of the trio that truly stands out. Easily the most inventive and experimental track of the album, it shows a different side to Pathogenic Virulence’s technical edge, while still be undeniably brutal.

Unsurprisingly, it’s a savage race to the end with Caliginious Devourer and Guttural Suppuration. The final two efforts are as solid as everything that came before. Pathogenic Virulence ending the album as it begun, in unrelenting and unforgettable horror-laden style. If you love the sound of the extreme, you’re going to be right at home with this effort.

Pathogenic Virulence – Scourged Track Listing:

1. The Pit of Primordial Ooze
2. Subsequent Assimilation
3. A Deity of Engorged Horror (feat. Angel Ochoa)
4. Cephalic Insemination
5. Anomalous Genetic Absorption
6. Ruptured Orificies
7. Embryonic Predator
8. Caliginious Devourer
9. Guttural Suppuration

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