Melting Rot's 'Infatuation with Premeditation' is a brutal, relentless, and groovy death grind album that packs a mean, headbanging punch. The Illinois trio, formed in 2017, delivers a short, sharp collection of nuggety brawlers that will satisfy death grind enthusiasts who like their death grind extra riffy and their grooves bloody and beaten. While the album is refreshingly free from modern polish, ensuring the material retains its dirty, rusty edge, there are moments where the writing bleeds together slightly, leading to fleeting moments of faceless brutality. The vocals, though largely gurgling lows, lack variation and are fairly one-dimensional and monotonous in delivery. However, the album's strengths lie in its tight musical chops, relentless energy, and subtle dynamic shifts between higher gears. Overall, 'Infatuation with Premeditation' is a strong 3.0, an entertaining platter that hints at potential greatness to come if Melting Rot continue to sharpen and hone their songwriting skills. Personally, I think the album's brevity leaves you wanting more, and while long-term mileage is debatable, it is a recommended listen for death grind enthusiasts. What makes this particularly fascinating is the album's ability to blend old school grind values with groovy, gnashing brutal death, creating a unique and refreshing sound. In my opinion, the album's production job is robust and extra beefy, with a killer guitar tone that cuts a nasty swathe of distortion and adds welcome oomph to the ample supply of meaty riffs and piledriving grooves. One thing that immediately stands out is the album's influence from the likes of Exhumed, Carcass, and a more straightforward Benighted, which is evident in the band's ability to flip between d-beaten bursts and blasts of crusty grind to thuggish brutal death depravity with raucous energy and tight musical chops. This raises a deeper question: how does Melting Rot's sound compare to other death grind acts, and what sets them apart in the ever-crowded realms of the underground? A detail that I find especially interesting is the album's guest spot from Exhumed legend Matt Harvey, which adds a layer of legitimacy and experience to the band's relatively underground origins. What this really suggests is that Melting Rot has the potential to make a sizable impact in the death grind scene, despite their relatively unknown status. In conclusion, 'Infatuation with Premeditation' is a punchy, efficient blast of death grind goodness that will satisfy fans of the genre. While there are some moments where the writing bleeds together slightly, the album's strengths lie in its tight musical chops, relentless energy, and refreshing blend of old school grind values with groovy, gnashing brutal death. If you take a step back and think about it, this album is a testament to the power of underground music and the potential for bands to make a significant impact, even with relatively unknown origins.
