Molder - Engrossed in Decay

"Engrossed in Decay," Molder Focus on Death Metal's Thrilling Horror (Early Track Stream)


What I look for in death metal is a certain amount of—for lack of a technical term—chunkiness. Depraved lyrics and visceral production certainly help shape up a killer release, but the band’s riffs need to hit with immediacy and pit-stirring groove. The more meat and heft to each gory chorus, the better, and death metal adherents Molder offer just this on their upcoming album Engrossed in Decay. Set to release in the midst of what’s likely to be a sweltering summer here in the Chicago area, the Joliet-based band’s sophomore release delivers tales of necrotic debauchery with gleeful abandon and positively reeks of filth. Check out the title track right now:

“Engrossed in Decay” stays in motion and never lets the listener relax, delivering a slew of massive riffs like a string of punches to the gut. Vocalist/guitarist Aaren Pantke’s ghoulish outcries are exquisitely deranged and add an insane narrative to the track’s whirlwind structure and pace. Molder’s first-ever release was actually a live album, and that energy has carried on throughout their career: this is death metal written to raise the dead and flatten venues.

Engrossed in Decay releases July 15th via Prosthetic Records.

A note to Chicago-area readers: Molder returns to the site of that live album, Cobra Lounge, this Sunday with Nucleus, Wraith, and Cryptum supporting.