I was just thinking about how my gym setlist has been lacking in death metal of late. Fortunately I think I found some good cardio workout music in the latest release from Dripping Decay and their new EP, Ripping Remains (Satanik Royalty). 

Their ranks include some well known names on the death metal scene: Jackson Jordon (Conducting From The Grave) and Jason Borton (Jungle Rot), so you know you are in for a treat. At a blazing seventeen and a half minutes, that includes a Halloween cover, is a snack-sized death-grind record that any heavy music fan can find enjoyment in.

The title track kicks us off with a little 1980’s synth that is suddenly cut off by the sound of a terrible car accident. Then, Dripping Decay starts like a bullet out of a chamber with blast beat drumming and grimey tremolo-picked guitar riffs. An eerie guitar lead over a breakdown to close the track out was the icing on this putrid cake of a song.

“Lead to Kill” is the big tempo jumper on the record as they cover from the slower, caveman-like death metal to the fast and aggressive grindcore side of their staple sound. Of course, there is a well placed guitar solo in the closing minute of the song that rounds everything out.

“Wormridden Piety” has the biggest headbanging riff after the first ninety seconds of speed and precision guitar work. The slow build up to said riff, the riff hitting for the first time, and then before hitting the refrain at the end is a high point on the whole record.

It only took six songs from the Portland, Oregon-based death-grinders to get a good idea of what else Dripping Decay has and will continue to bring to the table for the rest of us filthy listeners to munch on with our earholes. 

Even if you really just want a little taste of putrescence, hit play on this one. 

Buy the EP here:
https://drippingdecay.bandcamp.com/album/ripping-remains

7 / 10
TIM LEDIN