Dying Fetus – Wrong One To Fuck With

Five years after 2012’s Reign Supreme the one and only Death Metal machine that is DYING FETUS returns with brand new record Wrong One to Fuck With (June 23, Relapse Records) and it is just…wow. It really is as if they never went away as a lethal combination of the brutal and the technical batters and bruises you senseless. Don’t believe me? Check out opener “Fixated On Devastation”, guitarist/vocalist John Gallagher, bassist/vocalist Sean Beasley and drummer Trey Williams reminding everyone just who the fuck this band is and what they are capable of. This was my first taste of new music when the single dropped and I was in love ten seconds in.

“Panic Amongst the Herd” showcases the trio playing to each others’ strengths, like you’re being pushed back and forth across the room as each member in turn hits you with a bat, pipe, or something guaranteed to break you. Batter up!! There’s a bit of slow grind to “Die With Integrity” at first, then Williams leads the way on a frenetic, anger-fueled ride. Welcome to Concussionville, population YOU. My favorites are the one-two punch of “Seething With Disdain” and “Ideological Subjugation.” The former features some of the best growling on the disc, while the latter steps into borderline Thrash Metal territory here and there, which I found very exciting.

“Weaken the Structure” has a decadent guitar lead over the intro, and as usual the song finds the group in full face-punching mode, while “Fallacy” is a touch more melodic than the rest. Relax, it’s not DYING FETUS-Lite, or anything, because it’s heavy as balls and will kick you in yours in a New York Minute. But there’s just something different going on with the guitars. Either way it’s very cool. The long, throaty growl that punctuates the start of “Unmitigated Detestation” sets the tone for the two-song final attack, which also includes title track “Wrong One to Fuck With.” This last tune was another instant favorite, and one I could not get enough of.

Like I said, now that they’re back with one motherfucker of a Death Metal record, it’s like DYING FETUS never went away. Wrong one to Fuck With is damn near perfect in every way, from the writing, to the arrangements, to the pacing of the songs. I think you’ll find it was worth the wait and then some. Hopefully it won’t be so long between offerings next time. And let’s not forget we’re all gonna have the chance to split our heads open to these new tunes when the band embarks on The Summer Slaughter Tour 2017 in a month’s time. I’ll be there opening night and I can’t wait to hear this shit live!! Get your copy on June 23 or turn in your Metal Card!!

STANDOUT TRACKS: “Wrong one to Fuck With”, “Ideological Subjugation”, “Seething With Disdain”, “Fixated On Devastation”, “Panic Amongst the Herd”

RATING: 9.4/10