Manual Manic Procedures

4.92

PICKMETER

4.95

HMB

4.38

CRITICS

band:

200 Stab Wounds

release date: Jun 28, 2024

label: Metal Blade Records

type: Full-length

HMB´S REVIEW

"Manual Manic Procedures" by 200 Stab Wounds is a prime example of how modern death metal can evolve without abandoning its roots. The Cleveland-based band showcases an impressive ability to blend brutality with musicality, delivering an album that is as captivating as it is devastating. The sharp and crisp production, which pulls us into each instrument, each melody, each change in tempo, stands out as the key element that enhancing our sonic experience.

Don't be mistaken, the album is still driven by classic death - icons like Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, and Sepultura comes to mind - and yet has this renewed energy and influence of contemporary hardcore. The title track is a perfect example of this fusion, with passages alternating between crushing grooves, sharp guitar solos, and atmospheres that create genuine tension.

The variety and complexity within the compositions is another high point of the album. Each track seems to offer something new, from dynamic and memorable riffs to tempo changes keeping you constantly on edge. "Hands of Eternity" is the perfect example of this, making it the best track here (and possibly one of the best Metal songs of the year). There is a palpable sense of danger in several other tracks, especially in interludes like "Led To The Chamber / Liquified," which create an almost cinematic horror atmosphere.

This menacing intensity also introduces a level of ingenuity that will impress purists and OSDM lovers - along with precise heaviness, technical skill, and creativity. We already had a preview of that with their previous EP, Masters of Morbidity, and "Procedures" just cements 200 Stab Wounds cements in their position as one of the most exciting bands right now.

Review by Troadie - HMB´s Staff