Mildly Horrific is a fitting way to describe this album from the legendary death metal juggernauts, Cannibal Corpse. While it showcases the band's signature brutality and technical prowess, it also suffers from some inconsistencies that prevent it from reaching the heights of their best work. The biggest issue here is that some of the songs come across as overly chaotic, making them feel unfocused or disjointed. At times, the compositions seem to lack the precision and clarity that make their best songs so powerful. On the flip side, there are tracks that are undeniably strong—proof that Cannibal Corpse still has what it takes to deliver some seriously punishing, well-crafted songs.
Tracks like "Frenzied Feeding" and "Pitchfork Impalement" stand out as prime examples of what the band does best. These songs hit hard, showcasing a perfect blend of heavy riffs, tight pacing, and the relentless intensity that fans have come to expect. They prove that the band can still operate at full throttle when everything clicks, demonstrating their ability to create songs that are both brutal and well-structured.
However, not everything on the album is as polished. The guitars, for instance, are perhaps the album's most perplexing issue. There are moments where the transitions between riffs feel awkward or forced, disrupting the flow of the music. The lack of smoothness in some of these shifts detracts from the overall impact of the songs. The bass, on the other hand, is solidly performed and well-mixed, providing a consistent foundation without ever overpowering the rest of the instruments.
Corpsegrinder’s vocals remain as brutal and ferocious as ever. His guttural growls are complemented by some subtle variations in his vocal patterns, which add a refreshing layer of depth and diversity to the delivery. It’s these small changes that keep his performance from feeling too repetitive, giving the album a bit more nuance than some of their previous outings.
The drumming, though generally tight on the better tracks, is occasionally sloppy on others. While some songs benefit from relentless precision and speed, there are moments where the drumming feels off, lacking the tightness and consistency that make their best material so impactful.
Production-wise, the album sounds fantastic. The mixing is sharp, and the instruments come through with clarity, allowing every brutal riff and thunderous blast beat to be heard in all its raw intensity. The album may not break any new ground, but the production quality ensures that it remains a powerful listen.
Ultimately, Mildly Horrific is not Cannibal Corpse’s worst effort—there’s still plenty of brutal, high-quality material here. But it’s also not their best. It feels like a solid, if imperfect, entry in their discography. There are moments of brilliance, but the album is marred by a few missteps that prevent it from reaching the same level of consistency and excellence that we’ve come to expect from one of death metal’s most iconic bands.
RATING: 7/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Frenzied Feeding
Pitchfork Impalement
Drain You Empty