Back in 2022, I did a review in these hallowed pages for an all-female international beast called Castrator. That album was Defiled in Oblivion, and it was one of my favorite releases of that year.

Since that time, they’ve been doing… whatever bands do; I’m assuming playing shows and recording this album. What an album it is! It ups the brutality from Defiled in Oblivion and with a gut-ripping production… holy fucking shit.

From the blast furnace of opener “Fragments of Defiance”, it shows how hard they’ve worked on Coronation of the Grotesque; those two years paid off in spades. Crypta, take notice, this album kills. “I Am Eunuch” has some Morbid Angel feeling to it, these ladies fucking slay, and when compared to their peers in Crypta and Emasculator, they’re the most brutal of the three.

“Covenant of Deceit” is a stab at the Catholic Church, obviously; and it’s a huge Suffocation ripper with savage riffs and bludgeoning drums. “Mortem Opeterie” continues that beating with tastier, face-shredding riffs. Angry as a pack of rabid wombats is what this album is, and Castrator makes no fucking bones about it; they’re out for blood.

With themes touching on feminism, injustices, violence, and suffering, they have an awful lot to be pissed off about, considering that the current administration doesn’t seem to give two shits about women’s rights… but I digress.

The production from Defiled in Oblivion to Coronation of the Grotesque has improved by miles. Where the former was a bit murky, Incantation-ish cavernous production, Coronation of the Grotesque is crystal fucking clear. Every note, snare hit, and bass line sounds pristine, and it also helps that their technical prowess has developed as well, basic; yet still heavy riffs dominated the first album, whereas they’ve tightened it down and go straight for the throat.

“Remnants of Chaos” is another Suffocation-style stomper with some angry as hell double bass blasting and the beefiest riffing this side of the Mississippi. This is a crushing album; my neck hurts from banging my head to this beautiful beast.

“Deviant Miscreant” and “Psalm of the Beguiled” are two favorite tracks, each one bristling with deadly armaments; with the latter, they bring the tempo down to a simmering boil for maximum punishment and devastation.

“Discordant Rumination” keeps the Suffocation/ Morbid Angel precision blasts and scythe sharp riffs keep things interesting, however, it’s all building up to a blistering rendition of Exodus’ “Metal Command” it fucking rips, and it’s a great closer for this Death Metal monster.

With Coronation of the Grotesque, Castrator has grown in leaps and bounds, and without throwing shade; this is a helluva brutal album that is better than its predecessor. If you like this sort of thing and I believe you do… this needs to be in your collection; especially if you enjoy Morbid Angel, Suffocation, Emasculator, and Crypt,a or if you’re just looking for something new. I recommend giving Coronation of the Grotesque and Defiled in Oblivion a listen and then pick up copies of each to show your support.

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments