As someone who used to watch Monster Hunters, is vaguely interested in cryptozoology, and had to explain to his father that a Discovery Channel documentary spoof including a CGI Bigfoot wasn’t a documentary, nor proof of the existence of Bigfoot, I’m here for Bigfoot-themed death metal. I am also here for unnecessary run-on sentences.
Having never heard Troglodyte, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, the first track and in fact each subsequent one, will make very clear they worship at the altar of death metal. Chunky, groove-heavy, no-frills death metal. The influences are crystal clear, even if the existence of sasquatch is not.
Not unlike that damned Sasquatch when he steals 30 packed lunches, most of these songs, and by extension, the entire album doesn’t stick around long. The first track “What’s Eating You,” is a short blast fest, yet still manages to try to fit in a hook. The David Vincent-esque vocals, especially in the phrasing during and after the refrain hammer home those influences again.
I’ll be honest in saying I expected some more bigfoot-related puns in the song titles, but “Sasquashed” will have to do. It stands out in the first half of the album as well because of the groove and background vocals. There are some eerie “ooohs” in the background, which serve as a hook. The spoken word sample, while it fits thematically, really distracts you from that final slam in the background. Shame.
I have to mention the next track as well, named “Dyatlov” for several reasons. Firstly, at 5 minutes when this is a 29-minute album with 8 tracks, it’s the longest. I’m also a fan of the Dyatlov Pass mystery. Of course, part of the rumors regarding this story is that an unknown creature’s presence may have killed the explorers. So, of course Troglodyte should write about it. For the most part, the song itself is a chugfest, but that slowdown at the end with the pinch harmonics is the perfect way to end it.
Since it’s probably time to wrap this up, the final track, which has also been released as a “single” for the album, is called “Meat Your Maker” and it has some appropriately filthy guest vocals from Ross Sewage of Exhumed, Ghoul, Impaled, etc. You know who he is and he kills it here to end this banger.
At the end of the day, the questions are whether you need this in your collection and is it more than just a novelty? Considering they’re several albums in, I wouldn’t call them a novelty. However, whether you want this depends on your feelings on a style that’s enjoyable but has ultimately been done thousands of times and your tolerance/acceptance/enjoyment of Bigfoot puns. I’ll end by saying that I will definitely pick it up if they offer a CD version. IF.
