Verrucous Carcinoma

Japan seems to have a niche for spawning some of the best extreme metal bands known to man. I mean you have their slam scene with bands like Vomit Remnants, Disconformity, and Glossectomy (which features a member of Viscera Infest). But nothing comes close to the disgusting and over-the-top brutality of goregrind legends Viscera Infest. Their sophomore album “Verrucous Carcinoma” would go down as one of the most disturbing, intense, and memorable goregrind albums in history.

First off let’s talk about that fucking album cover. The only cover in my life that has actually left me feeling disturbed and sick to my stomach. This is saying something because I love extreme metal which is filled with over-the-top gory covers. But there’s something about this cover man that just screams sickness. If I could describe the entire genre of goregrind with a simple photo, it would be this album cover.

Now it’s time for the music. Viscera Infest plays Disgorge (Mex) worship-style goregrind, but imagine it faster and more barbaric. That is what Viscera Infest sounds like, and it’s fucking awesome. This is 30 minutes of just the most mind-numbingly heavy and intense goregrind to ever be played. Drummer Yuya Yukashiji is the highlight of this album, because holy shit does he blast FAST. My god, it’s amazing how fast he plays. The drums on here consistently machine-gun you down with 300 bpm blast beats and chuggy double bass. The production of this album is incredible for goregrind. It's raw, it’s dirty and it fits this music well. The guitars are so goddamn fuzzy and necro sounding yet you can hear the individual riffs and grooves.

I wasn’t shocked to see that there was no bassist on this album. Instead, there are 2 guitarists, it isn’t necessarily a gripe but it’d be cool to hear what it would’ve sounded like with bass. Anyways the guitars are just as frantic and as over the top as the drums are. Filled with punchy grooves and chugs, as well as squealy dive-bomb solos. The vocals on this album are so obnoxiously low and heavy it’s sick, I also love how it goes back and forth between the high screams and the gutturals. There are also some cool pinch harmonics on the second track which for the record, I’m not gonna bother typing the song titles. Some are too complicated and long to type out, and I’m just plain lazy. But rest assured there about medical terminology and diseases.

A highlight of this record would be the opening number. Best known for the cockroach mosh that is held at Viscera Infest shows. It shows just how fast Yuya can blast and beat his drums into oblivion, I think at one point the tempo goes above 300 bpm. This is just mind-blowing to think about, the guy is not that big of a fellow yet he’s an absolute maniac when it comes to blast beats. There’s not one bad moment on this album, for the entire 30 minutes it never slows down and doesn’t fuck around. It’s all killer and no filler whatsoever, it sticks to the primal raw energy and passion that goregrind excels. Not many bands have gotten up to the intensity of Viscera Infest. To me, the only goregrind band that overtakes Viscera Infest in terms of intensity, heaviness, and overall groove would have to go to Last Days Of Humanity. And maybe Disgorge Mex. But overall these guys are in a league of their own.

“Verrucous Carcinoma” is one of my favorite goregrind albums of all time. It has everything I love about the genre and more. It’s got the imagery, the groove, and the intensity to back it up. This is not one of your unmemorable and forgettable Carcass worship bands. This is fucking Viscera Infest, they have their own sound that sets them apart from most generic goregrind bands. While we await the 3rd studio album from these kings, which the band started recording in November of last year. Blast this bad boy to your heart's content. Buy their merch, and support them. A classic goregrind album.