Cadaver – The Age Of The Offended
Release Date: 21st July 2023
Label: Nuclear Blast
Order/Stream
Genre: Death Metal, Black Metal.
FFO: Anaal Nathrakh, Aura Noir, Carcass, Marduk.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Cadaver has had an intriguing history, to say the least. They are an ancient band, considered to have been present at the dawn of Death and Black metal. However, they disappeared for nearly two decades before deciding to make a comeback during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their latest release, The Age Of The Offended, according to the band, is meant to deliver a polite (not so polite) message to the masses: “go to hell!” Though I must admit that my version of their words is a bit watered down. Nonetheless, the question remains: Did they succeed in insulting us enough, or was it all just for show?
First and foremost, I’d like to mention that the album primarily consists of short tracks that get straight to the point, bashing you in the head with one or two main ideas per song. The songs seamlessly blend, making it difficult to choose a standout track. However, I must give credit to the album’s overall vibe. It deviates from your typical Death/Black metal sound, incorporating a certain “Je ne sais quoi” reminiscent of Industrial metal. If you enjoy the claustrophobic and white noise-like aggression that characterizes this style, then this album might be right up your alley.
If I were to dig deep and identify the highlights of the album, I’d have to mention The Age Of The Offended and Deadly Metal. These tracks possess sufficient aggression and variation. In fact, they should have been the opening tracks, as Sycophants Swing left my ears bleeding, and I typically enjoy atonal or disharmonic music. There seems to be an excessive need to create chaos in ways that don’t necessarily work here. Many of the songs feature gargling guitar or synth solos (such as in The Shrink, The Drowning Man, The Sicker, and The Better). Frankly, I find these solos to be distracting from the main riffs. While the riffs themselves may not be groundbreaking, they are enjoyable, but this “forced chaos” takes away from their impact.
However, my most significant issue with the album lies in its production. It is excessively loud, overbearing, and at times, certain elements seem to fade in and out randomly. The album possesses an industrial sound, but it lacks the refined industrial mix that is characteristic of the genre. The lead melodies often feel out of place and distracting. It’s evident that Cadaver aimed to create a chaotic atmosphere, but this album serves as a testament to the difficulty of achieving such a task. I now have newfound respect for bands like Gorguts, Ulcerate, and even The Dillinger Escape Plan, who have managed to master the art of controlled chaos. Creating pleasing chaos is no easy feat. The title and lyrics of the album exude edginess. I always approach albums that strive to be excessively topical with caution. Such albums tend to age less gracefully, as their context becomes forgotten over time. In general, I believe a fitting way to describe The Age Of The Offended is that it attempts to upset me with its content, but ultimately, I find myself more offended by its form.
(2.5 / 5)
