Pukewraith — Banquet of Scum

Grimly mixing propulsive speed with sludgy breakdowns, Banquet of Scum is built around a pretty traditional death metal structure, albeit a bit more gore soaked. The old school cover art clues the listener in to what lies ahead on their turntable, and the album doesn't disappoint. Packed to the gills with riffs, squeals, and shredding solos, Banquet displays fun and engaging guitar work and is the centerpiece of the album. Unsurprising, as it's the solo-project of a guitarist. Although Banquet (and Pukewraith in general) is aimed more toward grime and gore, it still hits closer to traditional death than somewhere between death and goregrind or something absolutely vile sounding (like Disgorge - Forensick, for example). This gives the album a bit more accessibility and allows Brendan's guitarwork to be better heard; super gore tends to get mired in the muck (no pun intended). Brendan is clearly very talented, as it takes tremendous skill to write, arrange, and play an entire album by oneself. However, the drums on this are really the only crack to appear on its grimy surface. They are nicely programmed and written, for sure, and fit very well. They just don't have the zeal and creativity that the guitars do (naturally). While it is extremely impressive that they're programmed and designed this well, they're very by the books and lack the creative flair and personality that a full time drummer would bring to the album. A crack only, and it may not be noticed by some, but it is the only real detractor from Banquet of Scum.

Finally available on vinyl (both black and puke green), Pukewraith's Banquet of Scum is a death metal excursion through a cadaver filled sewer. Built around the mind and talents of Gutvoid's Brendan Dean, Pukewraith's debut LP is chock full of riffs, solos, and shredding. From the cover art all the way to the grimy gore pouring from the speakers, Banquet of Scum is a nice, vile jaunt down Death Metal Lane.