The Rotted - Get Dead Or Die Trying

After a decade and three full-length CDs, the British extreme metal band Gorerotted decided to change their name to The Rotted for a couple different reasons. There are several new members, with only vocalist Ben McCrow and bassist Wilson remaining from their last CD. The band also decided to take a different lyrical direction, steering away from the gore and horror lyrics of the past and toward more real life experiences.

The Rotted's sound has changed somewhat on Get Dead Or Die Trying. They still play intense death metal mixed with grindcore, but it's more focused and precise than ever before. Razor sharp riffs are played at warp speed, but The Rotted's dual guitar attack of Tim Carley and Gian Pyres is also able to throttle back and get into a tight groove.

New drummer Nate Gould also excels. He has no problem flailing away with a barrage of blast beats one moment, then playing crisply with controlled fury the next. The songs on this CD are a nice mix of grind, technical death metal and even slower downtuned doomy parts. Things wrap up with a trippy instrumental that's slow and psychedelic.

McCrow does almost all the vocals on Get Dead Or Die Trying after sharing duties for many years. He has no problem shouldering the load, as he runs the gamut from guttural roars to primal screams. In examining the lyrics, which are now based on real experiences, it's obvious he has a few demons.

By changing their name, The Rotted were able to leave their past behind and begin anew. They're off to a great start with Get Dead Or Die Trying, a more mature and interesting but still brutal CD.

(released July 8, 2008 on Metal Blade Records)