Down among the dead men

Published: Absolute Underground#56 February/March 2014

DOWN AMONG THE DEAD MEN is a side project from Dave Ingram from Bolt Thrower and a couple of guys from Ribspreader and Paganizer. They just got together to make some death metal with a crusty edge. This is their one and only album and it's self-titled. Totally makes sense with the nihilist and DIY feel of the music.
There's no easing into this at all, no intros or nothing. The first song starts off quick and keeps a good riff going through both minutes. "Doomsday Manuscript" sounds death metal to me like the beginning track, but you start getting the crust feel on #3"As Leeches Gorge". "Adolescence of Time" is the longest song but I think it's one of the fastest. It has a simple but great riff straight through just slowing down for the last minute. "Deadman's Switch" is a good place to notice the dual guitar moving forward but in almost different directions at parts. On "Handful of Dust" they are definetily moving in the same direction, the song is seamless and probably top three on this album for me. "Venus Mantrap" has more of a rock n roll feel to it with a catchy riff and a story about troubles with women..at least that's what I think it's about. The album finishes off with two really good songs. They're fast, catchy and have some seriously relentless drumming.
This offering has thirteen songs but I'm pretty sure it comes in under forty minutes. All the songs get straight to the point with very little frills. It's not technical or overly complicated music by any stretch but it's not meant to be. I like it, it's easy to listen to and the really short songs work with a short attention span. It still has enough to make your head move and it has songs I'll listen to again, actually with it's length I'll listen to the whole thing again.


Michael F. Carnage