As indicated by the general scope of our output this week, the name of the game as of late is brevity. Nobody has the time nor energy to stick through an arduous slog, and thus, we're embracing music that is over practically as soon as it begins. Case in point: today's band--and 48 second music video--in question. Xeno Ooze, for those regrettably unfamiliar, are a sci-fi lovin' and death-grindin' unit out of Arizona. Their 2019 debut effort, the excellent Parasligm, was quite well received amongst the metal blog-o-sphere, and while I never did get around to penning a writeup myself, their brand of frenetically slam-imbued grind/powerviolence/crust left one hell of an impact. This was (and is) music for violent incidents in the cosmos, for obliteration at the hand of extraterrestrials. In other words: sign us up. Parasligm routinely receives airtime 'round these parts, and so when news of their followup effort breached our Village inbox, I was more than happy to do my part. We're honored to present here today the (animated!) music video for "Swillbirth," a standout track on their forthcoming Slimewave EP. Without further ado, cast yer earholes and eyeballs below. ...and now I shall let you collect yourselves after experiencing that spectacle. Firstly: the track itself. This is a prime representation of Xeno Ooze firing on every damn cylinder they have at their disposal. A tight and thrashy riff leads the charge, providing a gloriously energetic canvas. Through the (very short) breadth, the guitar's muscular tone rails forth at a high-octane rate, clicking along with a relentless precision. The drums are similarly blistering-yet-exact. The vocals, which only improve upon previous efforts, are similarly precise, delivering a harsh multi-faceted aggression with a spite akin to Necropanther, or some other similar paragon of blackened death/thrash excellence. There's a grindyness to the energy on display, but the confident application feels more akin to the most technical end of the brutal death metal spectrum. All told? "Swillbirth" ramps up immediately, says its piece in breakneck fashion, and calls it quits before there is even time to consider a rebuttal. The ethos of grind combined with a delicious display of sonic influences makes for a killer track that is, by benefit of punchy composition, over far too soon. Secondly: the video. The juxtaposition of over-the-top cartoon-style graphics with the track in question is the marriage that both aesthetics deserve. This is pure chaos at its finest, from the ensemble of drunken alien/goblin necromancer to the birth/summoning of the multiheaded alien monstrosity. The excessive vomit/ooze really does serve as the cherry on top. This is the kind of visual spectacle that practically demands a rewatch (or three.) Xeno Ooze nail the aesthetic and approach I actively seek out in death metal adjacent bands. They are self-confident in their approach and technically proficient as all hell, yet maintain a certain dedication to a fun-loving aesthetic. Here, the sheer polish of the music contrasts wonderfully with the animated (literally and figuratively) backdrop. The result? A release that doesn't take itself too seriously, despite undeniably possessing the chops and panache to run with the big dogs. As such, Xeno Ooze operate with a Slugdge-esque willingness and drive to find the fun in the excess of their brand. I mean, just take a gander at the track names on this sophomore EP as a prime example--"Deus Ex Machinooze" and "Ooze it or Lose it" are personal favorites. As if that weren't enough, the band member's monikers indicate a good humor and immersion: Oozimus Slaximus, Father Fungus, and Sludgehammer Slimeblast certainly have no qualms when it comes to acknowledging a less-than serious side to the aesthetic. If you're still on board--which, if you've made it this far, I have high hopes--I highly recommend you check out Slimewave upon release on December 18th. It's an absolute riot, and a strong step forward for a band that was impressive from the onset. Bottom line? Don't miss it. Xeno Ooze - Swillbirth was released Dec. 4th, 2020. Slimewave will be released in full Dec. 18th, 2020, and can be found here.
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Welcome!We provide thoughtful reviews of music that is heavy, gloomy...and loud enough to wake us from slumber. Written by a highfalutin peasantry. What are ye
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