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Ulcerate: Of fracture and failure

14/06/07 || The Duff

Well, it had to happen sometime – the fusion of tech death and post-rock, this ain’t something unique to New Zealand (the home of band Ulcerate), but just something that was bound to occur eventually given enough time. The best thing about it is, though, is that it hasn’t been done in the most obvious sense on “Of Fracture and Failure” (I was expecting the lush soundscapes to creep in, but instead found everything to be kept very ugly), resultantly giving one of the best tech death albums I’ve heard – on par with Spawn of Possession’s “Noctambulant”, an album I’m fucken nuts about, and definitely something I thought unlikely to be leveled any time soon.

What Ulcerate deliver on their debut full-length is essentially razor sharp, vicious guitar lines combined with discordant, unusual riffs much akin to Immolation, sections that remind me specifically of Hate Eternal (never thought I’d see the day I’d mention Hate Eternal as a major influence, seeing as they’re not the most original of bands), some slower-paced death metal grooves and the dark ambience provided by bands such as Neurosis (as well as some thrashy moments on the rare occasion – see “The Mask of the Satyr”).

The shorter songs on this album are amazing; short and focused kicks to the skull, filled with countless tempo changes, confusing and oft-kilter rhythms, and riffs comprising a potent mix of both brutality and groove; the furious pace is pretty much constant throughout the album, although there are some really relaxing (if very dark) moments that allow one to breathe (chiefly found within the longer tracks). The guitars throw you all over the place, and yet the process via which the riffs have been assembled has been very well thought out; this album flows extraordinarily well. I also seriously admire the way in which the band lures the listener into thinking the music’s going one way, only to lash out with something completely unexpected.

The drumming on this disc is astounding, as Jamie Saint Merat (who also covered the artwork) sounds like he’s on a mixture of steroids and amphetamines, yet is so limber that his performance comes across as exceptionally tight without sounding anywhere near over-exertive. His repertoire of techniques is extensive to say the least, and his transitioning from one style of playing to the next very fluid, at the same time he mixes things up with such variety that he seldom appears to repeat himself – a very inventive player who, as impressive as the guitars may be, makes this album the gem that it is!

The vocals are quite common, but varied – Ben Read is clearly talented, just nothing truly exceptional (unlike the rest of the band). The production couldn’t be more fitting; best described as “fuzzy”, it offers the necessary edge for the more vicious guitar onslaughts whilst offering an almost accommodating, warm tone throughout the rest.

My one gripe with “Of Fracture and Failure” is the song “Martyr of the Soil”, which is just too fucken good that it makes the other two lengthier tracks appear a little less remarkable (as if they are simply two normal length tracks each with an added, really cool atmospheric fade-out that makes them pass the six/seven minute mark) – a bit of a shit gripe, I know, hence why this scores a:

9 drummers with Duracell’s up their nostrils out of 10.

Information
Released: 2006
Label: Neurotic Records
Website: www.ulcerate.orcon.net.nz
Band
Ben Read: vocals
Michael Hoggard: guitars
Michael Rothwell: guitars
Paul Kelland: bass
Jamie Saint Merat: drums

Tracklist
01. Praise and Negation
02. Ad Nauseum
03. The Mask of the Satyr
04. Becoming the Lycanthrope
05. To Fell Goliath
06. Martyr of the Soil
07. Failure
08. The Coming of Genocide
09. Defaeco

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