– After a relatively quiet January 2004, the year’s first heavyweight release dropped rather quietly onto store shelves.  Hypocrisy, always what I consider a criminally overlooked and underappreciated band, have been soldiering through the death metal underground practically since it began, and should be at near-legendary status – except they don’t seem to get the respect they badly deserve.  Their reputation was likely further damaged by the poorly-received Catch-22, an album largely influenced by American nu-metal band Slipknot.  In a controversial move, Tatgren decided to keep this new album firmly on safe territory, treading absolutely no new sonic ground whatsoever and releasing an album that for all the world could be Abducted Part Two.

The cover is eye-catchingly gorgeous, done in unified blue hues that represent the concept perfectly.  The three aliens, I presume, represent the trio of band members (drummer Lars has since dropped out of the band and has been replaced by former Immortal powerhouse Horgh) and their new – or, I should say, old – mindset: the alien theme that has made Hypocrisy so unique in the past is back in force.  Lyrically, Hypocrisy has always been about two things: alien cover-up conspiracies, and the (as they perceive) evils of Christianity.  The graphic inverted cross on the disc itself should erase any question as to their stance on organized religion.  The album opens up with an eerie chord progression and some experimental vocal effects reminiscent of Fractured Millennium, before kicking into a high-tempo thrash theme.  This is a rare occurrence, however, and most of The Arrival sticks to the tried-and-true Hypocrisy formula: slow or mid-tempo and crushingly heavy. While the album boasts nothing but solid songwriting, it is also largely repetitive of previous works, particularly songs like Eraser.  Criticism aside, I consider this album to be largely an artistic success, boasting the mid-period Hypocrisy that we know and love while seamlessly blending previous-awkward influences into a cohesive musical unit.  New World and Dead Sky Dawning are sure to be future classics.  Bottom line: heavy Hypocrisy returns with a vengeance.

Guest review, MarK

The real deal Disgorge, the singular brutalists from Mexico… churning out the most indistinguishable noise and splatter. The production value is left to nil, maybe a little pocket change and a one attempt to finish the disc. The sound is unlike anything I’ve heard before, I suppose most would lump this in with grindcore, but I think the tracks to have distinction and purpose, not just an ability to produce a noise maker. Disgorge (mex) is definitely not something you would bring to introduce somebody to death metal, this would more than likely humor them and they will go on about how its noise, and you can’t understand what they are saying, its the obligatory speech you get from anyone when you play death metal.

Disgorge (mex) have a frightening detail into gore and sickening song titles like “Crevice Flux Warts”, “Jaundice Of Hookworm” and “Jism Adipose Carbonization”, a forensic nightmare in audible format. For such an underground masterpiece it’s a bit surprising to find out George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher took a stab at some vocal duties. I think this track alone (Crevice Flux Warts) epitomizes the sound they attempt at capturing, it delivers mood and a noticeable details that entertains the ears and distracts you from the monotony.

The cover is disgusting with a dead fetus coming from a vagina. I mean these guys really pulled all stops when making this disc. It’s offensive  and repulsive to look at. I think that is exactly the response they were looking for.

Overall this is a pretty unique experience, and really delivers and captures a darkened and sick mood/atmosphere. To the untrained ear, this will be the most monotonous, noisy, pots and pans kind of racket that will make you want to throw the stereo out the window. People will either love it or hate it. I think there is enough here for me to enjoy. Even if the sound does come off as rather monotonous of the same recycled riffs. It has its moments though, and it fucking a great experience. They are definitely the top contenders for the name Disgorge, forget about the guys in California. The band most deserving of the title, is the guys out in Mexico, making sick music for the masses.