Review by Carl on January 10, 2024.

It's a good thing that most metal and punk bands aren't sueing others over copyright issues, I think both Blasphemy and Discharge wouldn't have the time left to play music if they had to go after every other band that stole their formula. From what i have seen these last years, I think that Brodequin has become the next name to put in with the ones mentioned, because they have a lot of squatters on their territory as well, and most of 'em aren't subtle about it either.

And that's where Cercenated Flesh comes rolling in. Fitting in nicely with other Brodequin inspired acts like Orchidectomy, Baalsebub, Gargling and Perverted Dexterity, this Chile based brutal death metal unit deliver a massive load of brutal death metal, heavy on the down-tuned riffs, ferocious blast beat ferocity and deep guttural vocals. These characteristics have been poured into short and sharp-edged songs, that alternate high speed violent battering with heavy midtempo stomp driven forth by double kick drive, while oozing copious amounts of belligerence. Playing is technically proficient for sure, luckily without overdoing it, while proceedings are kept brutal and on point throughout. There's barely a hint of melody present, with the band preferring to focus on utter force and remorseless aggression, both of which this release has in abundance. Unfortunately, this is also gives the album a tad of that 'one long song' feel, so it will probably take some spins to totally get a grip on this album.

I have said this before, but I have the idea that a lot of brutal death metal bands are getting tired of the clean and digital production values in this scene, and are opting for a more gritty and unpolished sound, and Cercenated Flesh are among these. Whether this choice is deliberate or the result of budgetary or other factors, I don't know for sure, but I do know that I like this kind of unrefined sound. It brings back a human touch to proceedings, but it also gives the whole a more aggressive and menacing feel, which I can certainly appreciate. It's just too bad that the guitar work gets snowed under by the gutturals and percussion, though. Somewhat more balance to the mix wouldn't have hurt here.

This album delivers such a brutal pummeling dose of unchecked brutality that by the time this platter reaches its end, it feels as if you're grinded to pulp by it. The band may have this 'Brodequin's little brother' vibe going on a bit, but that does not take away that this is truly an unapologetic dose of brutal death metal, worthy of the term, for sure. If you're into the bands mentioned above, and you go nuts for ferocious blasting death metal in general, this definitely a release worth noting.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on April 11, 2012.

I love hearing what Prog Metal is up to. As a musician, I love hearing what others are coming up with at the moment but there are some bands that just confuse the shit out of me. Norwegian Prog Rockers Nordagust seem to fit into that category just fine, as even though I have played for many years in a myriad of different projects - this band confuses the living fuck out of me.

Nordagust (from a myth of the ‘Grieving Souls Spirit’) is a trio of stalwart members, accented by others who join them. It is best described as Folk mixed with Hard Rock mixed with the absurd. Using a variety of different instruments, including a hammer and an axe (for chopping, not a guitar) - the are out to do something different and original, but what they have done is still up in the air.

The ten songs that are on here are musically impressive, showing a band of musicians that are well versed and some great players, but the album lacks direction and in need of some depth for such Progressive yearnings. Giving that they are haunting and very artistic but that hurts rather than helps as the music tends to lose something as they go on with the massive artistic touches. In a nutshell, this band is the epitome of dull, as there was nothing here to grab on to as all the songs seem to be almost the same.

I think if they went full out heavier, and lose some of the peculiar sounds that surrounds the music (bird sounds, waterfalls and such) and be more metal they would make the music world take note, but this is just an artistic screw up at its finest. Nordagust has promise if they follow a heavier path, got more interesting and stoped the crap they were producing but without some massive amounts of change, it will just not go well for them.

The Grieving Souls Spirits need to grieve for this band for many years, until they make it right... they hate bad music too.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 5 (weird is not atmosphere, just weird)
Production: 8 (over production hurt the feel)
Originality: 5 (weirdness does not count here as such in this instance)
Overall: 6

Rating: 6.6 out of 10