Cephalotripsy - Epigenetic Neurogenesis

It has been 17 years since anyone has heard much from San Diego, California’s Cephalotripsy, most notably known because Angel Ochoa of Abominable Putridity is in it, but 2024 is a fantastic time for these guys to make a comeback, and they do just that with their second full length album “Epigenetic Neurogenesis.” A lot has happened since 2012 when the band officially went on hiatus for a bit, but started making splashes with demos and splits since 2017 and finally a new full length. Of course, 2024 -and the last few years before it-is no strangers to the Slam/ Brutal Death Metal genre with artists being cranked out on label anywhere from Reality Fades to Comatose Music. Cephalotripsy released this effort independently, but it sounds excellent and should exceed fan expectations since their debut. The sound is better and the band is better, thanks to a revamped lineup.

A few familiar faces from fellow S.D. natives Disgorge (also featuring Angel Ochoa but still on hold at the moment) are in the ranks of Cephalotripsy such as bassist Diego Sanchez whose sound is rumbling and thick but not overwhelming in Slam fashion alongside the chugging guitars from Andres Guzman who has been with Ochoa since the beginning of this group, and the rather simple, but percussive thunder of Albert Rios cannot be missed. Everything seems to work well together on this album. Back in the day it seemed Cephalotripsy was all about the guttural, burping vocals being in front with everything pushed back save for the clanging drums; here on “Epigenetic…” things are more balanced. Yes, Ochoa’s vocals are still a strong focal point in their guttural, burping manner, but he sounds clearer and more refined than he did on the last Abominable Putridity release. The band also seem to have delved away from the typical misogyny and gore themes and aimed more towards the sci-fi gore, sounding more technical than they really are especially in the titles, but that is the beauty of Slam/ Brutal Death these days- one can create Tech Death song titles and sound smart but still crank out primeval, lumbering caveman music. For those not used to the Slam/ Brutal Death genre, Cephalotripsy and this album is a pretty good introduction as it serves things at the mid pace level without going overwhelming fast like Brodequin or sludging and grimy and suffocating like Guttural Slug. What Cephalotripsy adds to their grab factor aside from lengthy, complicated song titles is a bit of groove. The music is certainly sickening, but its enjoyable sickening.

After a short introduction the lumbering bludgeons begin with ‘Alpha Terrestrial Polymorph.’ One will certainly hear the chug of the guitar which keeps on pace the entire song, but the drums have enough varied bursts to keep the listener interested alongside the bass and the vocals spat from hell. Yes, they are inhuman and almost impossible to understand, but in Brutal Death Metal/ Slam we want gutturals from another world along riffs we can slow head bang to. There isn’t much in the way in solos or melodic moments- for those, one will probably have to check out recent Pathology releases- but the tracks do their best to try to interject something so it doesn’t feel like the same things over and over. With Slam it is hard, but Cephalotripsy try to change up the groove a bit such as on ‘Entrenched in Fluids…’ with its downtuned fury, or inviting a guest such as Matti Way (also from Abominable Putridity) on a song like the title track whose vocal style is somewhat discernible, but still adds to that guttural tone of the music. This track in particular is a little more sci-fi/ alien sounding on the vocal side as both vocalists aim for more of an ‘underwater’ tone, but it a nice change from the more ‘toilet vomit gurgles’ that spew forth most of the time. Sometimes the guitars will feature a random twang aside from lumbering power chord driven riffs such as on the closing track, but it is rare as Cephalotripsy try to keep things as beastly as possible with this release, but in a more cohesive fashion. Like a more guttural version of Cannibal Corpse’s early days void of any sort of melody whatsoever.

It should be noted that like most Slam/ Brutal Death releases this isn’t really supposed to be a comfortable listen. Those that are used to more mainstream/ promoted acts in the Metal community anywhere from Archspire to Morbid Angel to even Hate Eternal (maybe, just maybe Sanguinisbogg though) are going to be a bit put off of how this album sounds. While the band doesn’t go for never-ending fury with tracks that feature blast beats galore and avoids any sort of solo work or much in the way of ambience or intros to add depth, this style is probably one of the better ‘basic’ presentations of the Slam/ Brutal Death genre. It isn’t too downtuned or too in one’s face on the vocal side and the themes are a little more presentable, and despite being a nasty sounding album compared to even your more sickening Cannibal Corpse releases like “Wretched Spawn,” it still features hooks and barbs to sink into ears and give someone a reason to enjoy this type of music. This album might sound like dumb music without the modern dramatics like that of Amorphis, but it isn’t. “Epigenetic Neurogenesis” is another strong ‘comeback’ album for 2024 alongside with a few others and hopefully one will get more Cephalotripsy in the near future along with some shows rather than another hiatus.
 
5 / 5 STARS