If the name doesn’t give it away already, Scalp is your one-stop shop for anything and everything devastating enough to rip the top of your dome clean off.

And excitingly enough, their third LP Not Worthy Of Human Compassion, is yet another notch in the illustrious belt of Closed Casket Activities (the label has also recently released works from Ingrown, Kruelty and Full Of Hell). 

Scalp could be labeled as anything from Grindcore to Deathpunk and everything in between. What is cut and dry is their “get in, fuck shit up and leave” mentality. Thirteen tracks that span a mere twenty minutes in more than enough to get their pugilistic proclivities across.

“80ACRESOFHELL” houses drumming that at times seems to mimic the toy that is a giant mouth with teeth that chomps back and forth while running away. And the vocals sound like they’re being delivered by someone who is terminally ill and knows the end is undoubtedly here.

The visceral “SHACKLEROT” is sloggy, gruff and rigid. The bass is simmering underneath, as if there are actual levels to this hellish soundscape.

One of the more alluring aspects to Scalp’s overall nature is that it almost seems like the listener is a burden. It’s as if the band has somewhere to be and would rather be anywhere else, but it’s done in a way that only strengthens their nihilistic, tormented style. These are all positives, ironically enough.

It’s easy for bands to convey their threatening presence (both artificial and otherwise) in a live setting, yet Scalp also carry that over to their studio recordings, as well.

“CONSPIRACY” sees vocals that are disdainful as ever, and the album closer “BOTTOMLESS” clocks in at over five minutes, dwarfing every track that came before it. Though that enables the band to be precise and tactful while maintaining what they’ve built up beforehand.

Not Worthy Of Human Compassion can be the perfect soundtrack for someone who is perpetually pissed off at the world, and doesn’t want it any other way.

Color me enthralled.

Buy the album here:
https://scalpoc.bandcamp.com/album/not-worthy-of-human-compassion

9 / 10
MATT COOK
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