One word comes to mind after having heard the new release “Parallels of Infinite Torture” from California’s DISGORGE: BRUTAL!!! By no means for the musically faint of heart, the album delivers death metal in its purest form. 

DISGORGE formed in 1992 by founding member Ricky Meyers (drums), and former members Bryan Ugartechea (bass, vocals) and Tony Freithoffer (guitars). They released their first demo in 1992 and began to play throughout California.  Later, Bryan Ugartechea left DISGORGE and was replaced by members Matti Way (vocals) and Eric Flesy (bass). Tony Freithoffer and Eric Flesy left in 1997, eventually to be replaced by Diego Sanchez (guitars) and Ben Marlin (bass). Having released three full-length albums and an EP since their inception, DISGORGE has beenbreaking new ground while they've been touring Europe.

2005 saw the release of “Parallels of Infinite Torture” featuring new vocalist Levi Fuselier and a new additional guitarist Ed Talorda. This is by far the band’s strongest release to date, recalling influences of CANNIBAL CORPSE, CARCASS, NILE, DYING FETUS, and GOREROTTED. Solid production, great technical ability, and a consistent direction in the musical structure compliments the album well, although the music itself still remains as sinister and punishing as can be. With the exception of one (“Forgotten Scriptures” is not really a song, more of a collage of noise which leads into the following track) each track is sick, heavy, and brutal enough to satisfy any longtime death metal aficionado as well as make new fans.  Standouts include the title track, “Revealed in Obscurity,” “Enthroned Abominations,” “Atonement,” and “Asphyxiation of the Oppressed.”

Those who are into melodic death metal with clean breaks will not find it with the new DISGORGE album “Parallels of Infinite Torture.” But those who long for something dark, sinister, uncompromising death metal music will devour this album with pure satisfaction.