Photo by Christina Mariutto
“GRUESOME is focused on breathing new life and aggression into a specific kind of timeless sound. In less than twenty minutes, Dimensions Of Horror shows that there is still so much that can be done with these familiar ideas, especially on the menacing title track which closes out the EP’s brief run.” — Noisey
Today, Vice’s mega music portal, Noisey, is streaming Dimensions Of Horror, the latest EP from Death-hailing four-piece, GRUESOME, in its punishing entirety. The premiere comes on the eve of the record’s official unveiling via Relapse Records.
Issues Noisey of the offering, “Everything about Dimensions Of Horror feels like it could have been brought into existence circa 1987. From the Lovecraftian horror on the cover, designed by legendary artist Ed Repka, to the searing solos and phlegmatic vocals on songs with titles like ‘Forces Of Darkness’ and ‘Amputation,’ each element on display fits so perfectly into the blueprint of classic Floridian death metal that you’d surely be forgiven for disbelieving that Dimensions Of Horror is brand new material from some of today’s most prolific death metal musicians. Given that GRUESOME‘s seeds were planted on the Death To All tours by drummer Gus Rios and Exhumed frontman Matt Harvey, it makes perfect sense that this loving homage to Death is so appropriately executed.”
Get gruesome with Dimensions Of Horror, now playing at Noisey alongside an interview with Matt Harvey, at THIS LOCATION.
And if you missed it, lay your peepers on the band’s video clip for the EP’s title track, initially premiered at Bloody Disgusting, HERE.
Produced by the band and co-produced and recorded by Jarrett Pritchard at New Constellation RMP Studios in Orlando, Florida, Dimensions Of Horror is a grisly salute to Death’s iconic Scream Bloody Gore and once again features cover art by the legendary Ed Repka (Death, Atheist, Massacre et al). A six-song slab of classic, bone-breaking, death metal jams, Dimensions Of Horror continues the development of GRUESOME‘s homage to the founding fathers of the genre and proves that no matter the decade, old-school death metal is always relevant, savage, and irresistible.
Dimensions Of Horror is due out May 20th, 2016 on CD/LP/CS/Digital worldwide. Physical preorders via Relapse.com can be found HERE, and digital preorders via GRUESOME‘s BandCamp page are available at THIS LOCATION.
Over the past year, GRUESOME has performed at numerous festivals worldwide, including Full Terror Assault Fest, Obscene Extreme America, and Netherlands Deathfest. The band has also been confirmed for Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore this coming May 26th through the 29th. Stay tuned for more festival announcements.
GRUESOME was born out of guitarist/vocalist Matt Harvey and drummer Gus Rios’ mutual involvement with the Death To All tours. Harvey served as frontman for the original mini-tour and Rios both performed “Baptized In Blood” and worked with DTA drummer Sean Reinert on the following US tour where Exhumed filled in as support. After discussing and discarding the idea of putting together another incarnation of DTA to focus exclusively on Death’s first two albums, Harvey half-jokingly suggested that the pair write their own songs in intentional homage to the band. It wasn’t long before the idea gained traction, and the band soon had five tracks written. With Harvey writing in California, Rios recruited Possessed guitarist Daniel Gonzalez and Derketa bassist Robin Mazen to record the material in Florida, while Harvey tracked his vocals on the West Coast.
GRUESOME released a pair of single-song demos in 2014, and was subsequently signed by Relapse Records in June of that year, with a full-length release (recorded in Florida, of course) planned for early the following year. The result of those recordings would become the band’s debut full-length Savage Land, a truly harrowing slab of Leprosy-styled death metal released in April 2015. It’s clear from the song quality on Savage Land that GRUESOME is humbly determined to keep Death’s classic sound alive as faithfully as possible, and the critical acclaim for the record has reflected the band’s dedication. Now, GRUESOME has returned stronger than ever with their new EP Dimensions Of Horror. With an all-star lineup and unmatched songwriting skills, GRUESOME is willing and able to propel the historical sentiment and sincerity of Death’s spirit into the present.
“100 percent slash-and-burn bangers. Harvey’s insane vocal delivery on ‘Raped By Darkness’ is a real treat for Leprosy-era enthusiasts. It’d be the EP’s high point if it weren’t for the title track, one of the catchiest death metal songs since Death Breath, if not ever.” — Decibel
“Dimensions Of Horror is an EP that you are going to want to come back to time and time again because it is fun, powerful, and concise. Every riff fucking slays and every guitar solo has that wonderful singable quality that made Chuck [Schuldiner]’s playing so great. Matt Harvey and the gang have outdone themselves with music that reminds us just how far of the game Death was at every phase of their careers.” – Two Guys Metal Reviews
“Between amazing riffs, perfect grooves, and just the right amount of growl and inarticulation in the vocals, Dimensions Of Horror raises the bar for GRUESOME.” – Glacially Musical
“GRUESOME still revels in Death worship – but it’s good Death worship. Just like their previous release, Dimensions Of Horror makes the usual retro-death metal vicious and energetic… there’s no doubt that you are going to enjoy each listen.” – Dead Rhetoric
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