Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Funerus - Festering Earth - Ibex Moon Productions 2003 reviewed by: 1evil1

Track Listing 1.In The Trees 2.Dnr 3.Stagnant Seas 4.Suffering Life 5.Nebulous Existence 6.Polluted Excess 7.Shade 8.Web Of Deceit 9.Festering Earth

The first spin of this disc had me wondering what the hell this band was thinking--Very under produced and very unoriginal. After many listenings I found that the sound of this album was different almost everywhere I played it (WARNING: dont play this CD in a good quality sound system). The best sound I got was from my computer speakers but that doesnt say much because for some reason computer speakers make the worst mp3 sound quality sound good.

Now, that I felt I could better judge this CD I can honestly say that its very under produced and very unoriginal. 'Festering Earth' from FUNERUS is at best a good groundwork CD for this band. Pretty much this CD contains 9 songs all of which sound like the first song. All the music at best is a second rate rip-off from any old school death metal band you have ever heard. There is some potential for this band if they can find a way to polish the sound of the CD just a little more without losing the low end sound. The vocals need to be stronger, the guitar needs more life, and the overall sound quality needs to be fit for any CD player (trust me you dont want to listen to this thing in your car either).

There are no stand out songs but Kyle Severn (INCANTATION) does some great drum work on almost every song. That is not enough on its own for me to recommend this album. All in all, it is a decent old school death metal tribute. Hopefully we will see some more promising work in the future from this outfit. Lacking on originality but if you are craving some "LOW END SEWAGE" in the vein of BOLT THROWER, GRAVE and a little SINISTER, FUNERUS have what you want.


--1evil1 5.19.04