Album Review // 2022-06-08
Decapitated
Cancer Culture
Released: 2022-05-27
I heard the band name and saw it listed as must-hear death metal. I listened to a song or two and was underwhelmed. So, this is my effort to see what this band has to offer, as a few songs don't always tell you. Can it live up to the hype?
The fact that they brought in Tatiana on Hello Death made me think it was a desperate grab for attention, but what do I know? They claim they wanted a female vocal in their song, and had been listening to and receiving some inspiration from Jinjer, so they reached out.
The band name obviously has that death metal sound to it. Honestly, gory names signal a style to me, but don't draw me in in any other way. I have to say, to me, the band name is misleading because I expected something really brutal the first time I heard them, but it seemed fairly watered down. I am talking about the sound here, because brutal and gory lyrics don't do anything for me, but sound is a different thing.
I think the name Cancer Culture speaks to the fact that the selfish things we do as humans are like a cancer in our culture. It could also be a play on cancel culture, which is a thing, where if you don't like someone's thoughts, get rid of them, make them illegal (a bunch of garbage in my opinion).
This band has been around for a long time, and I can certainly respect that! They have been through a lot as a band. Based on reading their own comments, they seem to be wanting to switch things up a little bit. And since I didn't know them before, I really can't make a comparison to past work. I can only take a solid look at this album and tell you my thoughts.
Album Artwork
In a sense, this human looks stripped of skin and raw. The ear looks magnified. The items that surround the head are so varied; I am not sure how they connect to each other or to this person. Some seem harmless, and some like weapons. Seems almost alien-like. Maybe it is an alien leader reading from some form of law book. It could represent authority and control.
Mood
I had to take the mood from the lyrics, where I found more emotion, as I wasn't getting much from the music. It was hard to get into, outside of a superficial level. The mood is one of distance and irritation with the world. A world that is in it for themselves, and in reality, so are you.
Vocals
This vocal, if you really look at it, isn't bad, but it isn't good either. To me, it just is. Consistently consistent. There is a deep growl and a higher scream, but it isn't reaching me. I think it just sounds like vocals I have heard many times. There is nothing that makes it stand out. Maybe I have just listened to bands with similar ones to an unbelievable degree, and now my mind just says, "heard that before". Guest vocals on this album didn't improve anything to me.
Music
Fast-paced drumming most of the time, riffing at all times. I find it hard to get into. I think it is the lack of dynamics. It is like a constant click clank, it can be easy listening, but not overly inspiring. And when you really take a look, there are some really good and talented moments, and I do like double kick but... Some songs seem like they are trying to sound like Meshuggah's most straightforward songs and some sound like Pantera, and etc. etc., but they don't sound as death metal-oriented as I was expecting. What is it that makes it feel impenetrable to a deeper level? I think maybe I have heard it before... And I don't feel any innovation. I don't like to make associations with other bands when I am listening to something, especially if the associations are countless.
Cancer Culture
This seems to be about how people have so much to say when it is anonymous, or when it is on technology. But in reality, if they were sitting next to the person they are targeting, they probably wouldn't say anything.
Roaring lion hidden behind
His wireless mouse
Supreme court ruling the state
From their parent's house
Eye for an eye
Opinions like opiates
Tooth for a tooth
Comments like convictions
Cancer!
Cancer Culture
Just a Cigarette
I think this is talking about conformity, and following the rules or authority, like you're a big hero or the good guy. Or maybe it is the opposite; you fight against things and feel entitled in all things.
You dream of wielding a sword
True hero that saves the world
But you will die in bed, alone
Scared, obese, most likely overdose
So you believed they cut off your wings
These marks on your back are whip scars
What you thought was a morning star
Was just a cigarette lit in the dark
You already know
That you are not in control
You'rе being controlled
No Cure
I think this is talking about the technical age, where we can look up info on anything, find any topic online. The reality is being raised this day and age is leaps and bounds different than before all this technology. You can find both sides of things by searching online. You can find anything you want.
Raised by memes and pop-ups
Breast-fed by ignorance
Legions armed with wi-fi
Fight proxy wars against reason
Legions armed
Fight proxy wars against
Against reason
4chan University graduates
Experts in funny pictures and cats
Grew small in shadows of chemtrails
In fear of syringes
In fear of
Syringes, reptiles and sense
Hello Death
Life really is quick! And I think this song is talking about how death is inevitable.
Hello death
I'm back
No place like home
Grave sweet grave
Moth fluttering around the candle
loves light but fears the heat
and yet the flame is inevitable
You can run but you can't hide
You can pray but why waste time
You're born, you blink and then you die
Iconoclast
Considering the name of this song, I believe this is taking the idea of destruction of monuments and structure, and especially religious imagery, and wanting them to be abolished. I, for one, am not offended by other peoples' beliefs or non-beliefs, so I wouldn't think about destroying something that means something to someone else.
Hated traitor, take your fall
Fading evangelical
Spit your poison in our brains
Twisting voices, mind insane
Hatеd traitor, take your fall
Fading evangelical
Sеptic poison in our brains
Twisting voices, mind insane
Nothing to lose
I, Iconoclast
Nothing to fear
I doubt therefore I am
Suicidal Space Program
This makes me think of Elon Musk and his quest to make another planet habitable because he feels that earth isn't sustainable. I am thankful to him for my internet out here in the country, and I don't think everyone has his kind of motivation.
I think this is talking about that idea that we are almost on a path to extinction, but if we started over again, we would probably do the same things that led to our demise. I have often thought about that in my own life. As an adult, with my experiences and knowledge, if you put me back in time to do it over again, would I do things better? I think maybe in some ways, but some of the deep core characteristics that make me would still crop up in similar ways and create similar scenarios.
You can escape exhausted land
But you can't run from yourself
You reap what you sow
And you rape what you own
Planet Earth is red
A lot blood was shed
Planet Earth is grey
From cradle to ashtray
Planet Earth is black
There is no turning back
Planet Earth is black
There's no turning back
If we could only start again
We'd gladly repеat all mistakes
Locked
This is definitely a product of the times. A product of a pandemic that has affected everyone. An experience that has felt like you were watching an apocalyptic movie, or zombies were going to appear. The experience of isolation and fear, in a collective way.
Stay home, save lives, it's just for now
Virus everywhere, so better hide
Virus everywhere, so you better hide
Rulers of the world
Forever locked
It's too hot out there, all oxygen is gone
Can't breathe outside, better stay at home
Red alert! Cloud is back, suffocating smoke
Stay home, stay healthy, you'd die if you go
Clones and drones fighting our holy wars
Cradle, kitchen, bedroom, coffin, there is no place like home
(There is no place like home, there is no place like home)
Hours as Battlegrounds
I am a vegetarian and I love dragons, but this visual of eating your own tail is gross to me! It makes me think of survival shows where they boil up a snake (I literally gag if I see this). I guess, though, this visual is supposed to be how you aren't helping yourself, you are actually hindering your own existence...
Cradle, grave
Sandstorm in the hourglass
Hours as battlegrounds, minutes as weapons
Seconds as bullets that pierce empty skulls
The curious case of John Doe
You never even lived and yet you die
You never even lived and yet you die
Ambitious marriage
Of hydrogen and carbon
Daring to dream beyond
The puddle where it belongs
Uroboros invites you to his feast
RSVP
Funeral attire required
Last Supper
More eating of unappetising items, lol. But yeah, I get it, they are really making it known how much we don't help ourselves or each other. We live this life for ourselves, but we actually hurt ourselves in the process.
Lo and behold
Here he comes
Waiter that wouldn't wait
Riding his pale horse
Revenge is a dish
Best served cold
Ironic given the fact
We got the planet boiled
So grab your forks
And sharpen your knives
It's just about time
To eat yourself alive
Playlist Picks
I think when a band has been around for a while, I often am biased to think they should be putting out amazing material, or they really should have quit already. But this one just left me feeling neutral. That's it. I chose the best songs to go onto my playlist. The more I listened to them, and listened to the individual parts, the more I questioned my own lack of passion for it, because there is nothing wrong with it - the elements in it are good, but it doesn't make me feel much.
Cancer Culture will make it to my playlist because it felt like it kept my attention more. It had a somewhat predictable pattern, but became stronger as the song went on. I actually really like the one vocal part around a minute in - it sounded more passionate, and a little different.
Just a Cigarette will also make it. I like the lead parts in this song. They work well with the rest of the song.
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