Any fan of the genre will have no doubt heard of Deceased, if not for their album artwork and logo, let alone their music. While they've been in the game for nearly forty years, their full length output tells a different tale, with only their eighth coming out this year. However, proving the old adage that it's "quality over quantity," Children of the Morgue is another excellent entry in this long running band's catalog. Deceased have many years under their belts and because of this, their style has changed over time; sometimes they're closer to death metal and sometimes they're closer to thrash. Children of the Morgue is in the latter category, I feel, and by embracing this sound and not wishing it were anything other than what it is, one will enjoy the record far more, which helps considering the grave subject matter, pun very much intended. Deceased have always put lyrical content and story telling at the top of their priorities, and never shying away from that has kept their place in the genre regardless of the frequency of their releases. The thrashier approach on Children allows for even more focus to be had on King Fowley's vocals and the terror his words portray. And by keeping the music from getting too over the top, the guitar riffs give that oomph to the desk top rockers looking to bang their heads while they go about their daily duties. Everything here is on point, drums, bass, guitars, vocals, and is expected from heroes like Deceased, but with that, it's also not anything beyond their bounds. The envelope isn't really pushed here, which is a bit of a let down, but the tried and true metal that is displayed is certainly worth more than the price of admission.

 

Children of the Morgue, the eighth full length in an impressive, forty year career, drops on Hells Headbangers at the end of this month. King Fowley and the boys continue to bring the horrific tales belted over aggressive, intriguing, and very fun metal. While a bit further from death metal than they have been in the past, Deceased still bring it hard and heavy, giving long time fans what they've come to expect, as well as opening up new fans to these rippin' and rockin' raconteurs.