Murderworks
Encyclopedia
Murderworks is the third studio album
by the Finnish grindcore
band Rotten Sound
. The album was recorded at Soundlab studios with production of Mieszko Talarczyk
.
(a subsidiary of Necropolis Records
) in the United States, and Century Media
in Europe, where the album's artwork was censored by manufacturers in Germany, who considered the original cover and band photos too disturbing for German consumers. As a replacement, the cover was re-colored in shades of red and white, with a note on top saying, "Check booklet for original artwork."
The album also includes two live videos for "Seeds" and "Strongman," and the "Targets" music video, which later appeared on the Murderlive DVD, released in 2004. Murderworks was reissued by Relapse Records
in 2005, and regarding this re-release, critics have different opinions. While a review in the Exclaim!
magazine defined this reissue of Murderworks as "essential to the grind[core] fan," Kevin Stewart-Panko from Decibel quoted it with a question, which says: "The easiest reissue job ever?" He also noted that "the actual recording doesn't appear to have been remastered" and concluded his review stating, "Maybe the advantage with Relapse reissuing this is that, this time, it’ll actually get released."
Evaluating all aspects of Murderworks, Chronicles of Chaos reviewer Aaron McKay gave the album six out of ten stars, saying, "Fourteen tracks of single-word titles rip unforgivingly and in a way such that enjoyment can be easily gained from every cut to some degree." He also stated, "Anger, violence and aggression are, of course, the staples on which Murderworks fuels its insatiable appetite." Exclaim!
writer Greg Pratt praised the album stating, "Not since Nasum's last album has there been a grindcore onslaught as relentless and energetic as Rotten Sound's Murderworks." Pratt also praised the "crushing production" of Mieszko Talarczyk "that is as heavy as it is clear."
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by the Finnish grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
band Rotten Sound
Rotten Sound
Rotten Sound is a grindcore band from Vaasa, Finland, formed in 1993. The band comprises vocalist Keijo Niinimaa, guitarist Mika Aalto, bassist Kristian Toivainen and drummer Sami Latva...
. The album was recorded at Soundlab studios with production of Mieszko Talarczyk
Mieszko Talarczyk
Mieszko Talarczyk was the lead singer and guitarist of the Swedish grindcore band Nasum, Genocide Superstars, Krigshot and Charles Harfager...
.
Release
Murderworks was released in June 2002 through Deathvomit RecordsDeath vomit records
Deathvomit Records was a record label that specialized in death metal and grindcore music. Deathvomit Records was a sub-label of Necropolis Records and ceased existence with its parent label in 2003. Some notable artists that recorded for Deathvomit are:...
(a subsidiary of Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records
Necropolis Records was a record label founded in 1993, mainly providing an American home for extreme black metal to start. The label's roster included artists such as Archgoat, The Black, Incantation, Satanic Slaughter, Witchery, Rotten Sound, Babylon Whores, Dissection, Dawn,, Vondur, Impaled and...
) in the United States, and Century Media
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
in Europe, where the album's artwork was censored by manufacturers in Germany, who considered the original cover and band photos too disturbing for German consumers. As a replacement, the cover was re-colored in shades of red and white, with a note on top saying, "Check booklet for original artwork."
The album also includes two live videos for "Seeds" and "Strongman," and the "Targets" music video, which later appeared on the Murderlive DVD, released in 2004. Murderworks was reissued by Relapse Records
Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...
in 2005, and regarding this re-release, critics have different opinions. While a review in the Exclaim!
Exclaim!
Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
magazine defined this reissue of Murderworks as "essential to the grind[core] fan," Kevin Stewart-Panko from Decibel quoted it with a question, which says: "The easiest reissue job ever?" He also noted that "the actual recording doesn't appear to have been remastered" and concluded his review stating, "Maybe the advantage with Relapse reissuing this is that, this time, it’ll actually get released."
Critical reception
Allmusic writer Alex Henderson, stated that "from start to finish, Murderworks is an exercise in sensory assault for the sake of sensory assault." Henderson defined the band's tempo as "insanely fast", and criticized their "one-dimensional" musical style, comparing with Rotten Sound's previous releases, saying:
After you have heard the opening number, "Targets," you've pretty much heard it all; headbangers who like their metal albums with a lot of variety won't find it here. But despite the CD's obvious limitations, Murderworks is, in its own way, exhilarating—that is, if you have a taste for this type of extreme metal.
Evaluating all aspects of Murderworks, Chronicles of Chaos reviewer Aaron McKay gave the album six out of ten stars, saying, "Fourteen tracks of single-word titles rip unforgivingly and in a way such that enjoyment can be easily gained from every cut to some degree." He also stated, "Anger, violence and aggression are, of course, the staples on which Murderworks fuels its insatiable appetite." Exclaim!
Exclaim!
Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
writer Greg Pratt praised the album stating, "Not since Nasum's last album has there been a grindcore onslaught as relentless and energetic as Rotten Sound's Murderworks." Pratt also praised the "crushing production" of Mieszko Talarczyk "that is as heavy as it is clear."
Track listing
All songs were written by G, K, Q, and Rotten Sound, except where noted.- "Targets" – 1:58
- "Void" – 0:44
- "Revenge" – 1:49
- "Lies" – 1:08
- "Doom" – 1:47
- "IQ" – 3:17
- "Insects" – 0:28
- "Seeds" – 2:20
- "Suffer" – 0:11
- "Obey" – 3:15
- "Edge" – 1:39
- "Lobotomy" – 2:41
- "Insane" (G, Jorma, K, Q, Rotten Sound) – 2:02
- "Agony" (G, H, K, Q, Rotten Sound) – 7:36
Personnel
- Mika Häkki – bass
- Kai Hahto – drums
- Mika Aalto – guitar
- Mieszko Talarczyk – guitar (track 10), producer, engineer, editing, mixing, sounds, high tenor vocal (track 14)
- Keijo Niinimaa – vocals
- Mika Jussila – mastering
- Rotten Sound – arranger, production accountant