In a banner year for death metal of especially brutal, dissonant and challenging varieties, as we close in on the end of another action-packed year for metal, it’s time to return to the simpler joys of the death metal genre. Enter rising Australian upstarts Gutless. Following their 2018 demo release, the quartet finally unleashes their debut LP, High Impact Violence. Gutless make it clear from the outset they are wired into the old school framework of ’90s-flavored death, pulling no punches. While indebted to the classic American death metal eras of the early to mid ’90s, Gutless feature their own twisted, muffled charms and modern interpretations to smash out an album of solid substance and plenty of ballsy attitude, neck-snapping riffs, and tidy chops. But as end-of-year burnout kicks in and list season begins to take shape, do these Melbourne lads have what it takes to make a significant splash in the death metal cesspool of 2024?
Not being familiar with the underground history and previous short-form releases by Gutless, I dug out their well-received Mass Extinction EP from 2018 in preparation for the High Impact Violence to follow. It was a particularly nasty, feral slab of old school goodness, hinting at their potential. High Impact Violence features a more refined, polished update of their earlier material, yet retains a nasty, no-frills underground edge, including nods to the classic Floridian scene, and early Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus. Straight off the bat, when dissecting the Gutless DNA threaded into their formula, their strong affiliation with ’90s death metal shines through. Rather than hone into one particular influence, Gutless sculpt their own robust sound, built upon blunt force aesthetics, favoring brutish, tautly wound assaults, thuggish riffs and curb stomping beatdowns.
Amidst the aggressive, take-no-prisoners songwriting, Gutless boast the riffs, bludgeoning, tightly executed musicianship, and upgraded retro flair with an endearing charm that is easy to like. So, while initially, the overall package seemed to blaze by without leaving much of a lasting impression, repeat listens have treated the album kindly. This becomes all the more palatable considering the lean twenty-six-minute runtime. “Bashed and Hemorrhaging” does what any lean, mean death metal album should do, feasting on fast, aggressive rhythms, rabid vocals, and sick, pit-ready groove sections. The belligerent, no-frills assault continues to batter senses and hammer skulls across the album’s efficient duration. Gutless leverage the rough and tumble riffs and chunky mid-paced surges with tasteful soloing and blastier explosions (“Scalpel Obsession”), deft thrash and slam-infused dynamic twists (“Galvanized”), and old school grind, pummel and melodic flair (“Carved into Existence”). Certain tracks, such as those named, stand out from the pack, but it’s all solid, if sometimes unremarkable fare.
High Impact Violence succeeds more often than it falls flat or fails to impose itself on the listener. Yet despite its strengths and solid qualities, the album is not without some issues. Each song offers cool moments; however, a handful of tracks fail to carve deeper impressions in the memory bank once the frenetic attack subsides. More song-by-song individuality and further development of their songwriting skills will hopefully yield stronger results next time around. Allan Stacey and Tom Caldwell skillfully wage war on their instruments, cherry-picking from their influential touchstones with an energetic mix of old school death riffs, clubbing grooves, and occasional melodic flourishes and nifty solos. Drummer Ollie Ballantyne bludgeons his kit with reckless abandon, employing a busy, aggressive, groovy style without relying heavily on excessive blasting or one-dimensional rhythms. Joe Steele isn’t left behind, his meaty low-end given moments to shine. Caldwell’s motor-mouthed, muffled growls are serviceably performed, though a little more variety and unhinged edge of the early vocal eruptions would have added a welcome layer of grimy menace.
Overall, Gutless exhibit a fine example of their long-gestating efforts in finally unleashing their debut LP to the underground masses. And although the final package does not quite deliver a knockout punch, High Impact Violence remains a polished debut and hopefully a springboard to greater things in store for the band’s future endeavors. Perhaps splicing the album’s accomplished riffcraft, refinement and addictive sense of groove, with the nastier, rawer aesthetics of their early work could produce a more potent platform for this beast to grow.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Dark Descent Records
Websites: gutlessmelbourne.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/gutlessmelbourne
Releases Worldwide: November 22nd, 2024
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