Lacerated Enemy Records presents the debut from Greek outfit Cerebrum. I was almost going to call these guys brothers, judging by the photograph in the booklet. But apparently they just share that renegade-like, haven't-shaven-in-a-week look. Which is awesome, by the way - as far as my memory goes, Apollo (the singer) even resembles that long-haired actor from the series Renegade.
Whatever, you think, and rightly so. We're here for the music, and in fact, I prophetize that I'm just going to approve of Cerebrum's debut. There, you can all go home now. The reason why I'm so clairvoyant? Simple: George Kollias is drumming. Now, you may call me presumptuous, but let's face it: the band's discography only warrants a 2005 demo, and psh, like Kollias would do session work in some half-assed band. Let's press the play button and see if I'm correct.
From the first track, a few facts establish themselves. Let's get it out of the way: the drumming is flawless. The production is stripped down to the essence (the snare sounds so... naked) - no overproduction here at all, rather the contrary. Every instrument fills up its rightful slot in the spectrum, very bare and straightforward, but that's quite alright. I have to admit, I was initially a tad disappointed, probably because Kollias summons expectations of brutality in the vein of Nile and Sickening Horror. Although Cerebrum gets the stamp "technical death metal", I'd call it progressive and groovy first. Of course it's technical, but not in the Spawn of Possession or Necrophagist sense. There's the occasional fingerbreaking lick, but Cerebrum's specialty is the intertwining of death and progressive elements, including some odd chords and scale runs, rhythmic shifting, and clean vocals. Also props to the great grunting by Apollo.
There's a form of symbiosis going on between Cerebrum and George, who was perhaps looking for a somewhat different style to fire off some creativity. Cerebrum is just that, but Spectral Extravagance wouldn't have cut it with merely a "good" drummer. Not matter how hard the six-strings scream alongside a clattering bassguitar, brutality isn't the primary message. No, the songs tell a different tale: that of unexpected musical ups and downs (literally), offbeat surprises, and a few notes that turn the whole atmosphere around. Great death metal with a very specific approach: taste it to find out!
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AUTHOR: Goran
Goran has been an active reviewer for years (since the old Fishcomcollective, to the brand new Corazine - and also for Face Your Underground). He enjoys - besides metal - the creative side of life, be it through music, sports, programming or 3D. You can find him at www.myspace.com/fdemets.