Cattle Decapitation’s second EP was released one year after their first offering, “Human Jerky”. It shows a slight evolution, both share the same goregrind style but this time composition got more refined and attractive. First song “Mauled” is a proof that the band can do more than packing good riffs in less than one minute. The other tracks despite being shorter show maturity in songwriting skills; even if they are not playing prog/death yet they managed to pull out a more consistent and memorable grind than before. Somehow tracks are put together so that they flow nicely between each other. If there’s one fast blast-beating track, the next one might start with a slower interlude before it regains speed for example, giving the allbum a wider tonal variety.
The production is better than on “Human Jerky”, but the guitar tone is drier and dull, it doesn't have enough weight. Distortion is suffocated by the lack of gain and overdrive, as I said before it sounds kind of dry and “boxed”. It is still very raw and amp like, not very modulated or with any particular effects on it. Bass guitar is distorted too, this time even with more gain and a riot-like, messy overdrive. It doesn't outshine the guitars though, it blends perfectly with them instead and truly helps in the development of a creepy "chase-like" atmosphere; like when you're watching a horror movie and you feel someone's coming for you from the back, after all death metal is horor music. The strings’ department delivers a decent and very grind fitting sound to this “EP” but it lacks the punch guitars didn't give. Drums mark the song’s pulse efficiently, blasting its way through the fast and aggressive grindcore parts and with heavier and meaner beats for the hardcore punk influenced mid paced sections; which resemble those classic thrash breaks but simpler and darker. Vocals are still grunted, but this time they feature high pitched shrieks on one track and the other –studio edited- is lower and more devilish. This combination is closer to how vocals turned out on their latter efforts than the lower and deeper vocals on the previous EP.
In general terms, what we have here is a nice compilation of goregrind tracks. Minimalist and disgusting, glimpses of technicality or progression aren't visible yet; the main attraction of the band’s recent records. There is melody in CD’s larvae stage music, not to evoke cold and more delicate feelings, as they latter did; but riffs sound more bright and memorable than the average because of the keys they use. Rhythm plays a primordial role while song’s develop their sickening and bloody gore atmosphere, dense and heavy grooves take control over any sense of harmony they have. It's a fresh sounding record when compared with the rest of the goregrind acts' first records, riffing is way more original I can't hear a barefaced influence by any other band, the Carcass clone tag this first couple of Cattle Decapitation's EPs earned for example, goes beyond my understanding. Highlights: Mauled, Carnal Fecofilia, WIne of the Sanguine and Molested / Digested.