Inject the Ugliness

Two full albums of cover songs and an EP consisting of four cover songs was not enough for Deceased. They had to record two more songs for good measure. This takes the total number of covers in the Deceased back catalogue to about 45 or 46 (I've lost count). Also, I am only counting as far as those recorded before 2005 (the band have recorded more since). This is a mind-blowing number of cover songs. I can't think of a single metal band that comes anywhere close to this. To illustrate the point further, this "Inject the Ugliness" EP also contains two live versions of cover songs the band had already recorded elsewhere. Deceased liked playing other bands' songs.

“Inject the Ugliness” is a throwaway record in every sense of the word. It is difficult to think of something that screams “FILLER” as loudly as this. Perhaps it was recorded so the band had something new to sell on an upcoming tour? Perhaps it was recorded as a cheap sampler for people who had never heard the band before? Perhaps it was recorded for the sheer hell of it? I favour the latter explanation. This record sounds like it was cobbled together in an afternoon. The two studio tracks (Agent Steel and Running Wild songs) are much rougher than the "As the Weird Travel On" recording session (which was around the same time). The two live songs (Venom and Voivod) are even less polished. I don’t necessarily see this as a weakness. I appreciate some good under-production.

The Agent Steel song ("Agents of Steel") is a fun, thrashy blast that does the original justice. The Running Wild song (originally from the legendary “Death Metal” split) is similarly enjoyable. Guitarists Mike Smith and Mark Adams were having fun with this kind of 'almost thrash', and it influenced their playing on "As the Weird Travel On". The two live tracks tap into the older Deceased sound, coming from noisier, nastier sounding bands. There can't be too many Deceased fans who are unaware of "Black Metal" already. This live version is better than the studio version on the "Zombie Hymns" compilation because it is played without any contrivance. The eponymous Voivod song was one of the band’s earliest covers, dating back to "The 13 Frightened Souls". This live version isn’t as good as that version but it still gives me the urge to see Deceased live.

"Inject the Ugliness" sounds fine during its thirteen minute run-time. It won't stick in the memory for a minute longer than that. It is an unnecessary record and no-one will be any better (or worse) for hearing it. Even the most hardened Deceased fan doesn’t need to hear it. Still, a four song EP like this might be the most appropriate way to hear Deceased as a covers band, rather than having to sit through an entire album’s worth. Listen to this if you care to.