Continued from page 16 nods to the old-school death metal formula in the vein of Exhumed , Autopsy , Pestilence , and Obituary . Molder ’ s blueprint seeps into the listener ' s brain and captivates with memorable patterns and head-bangable riffs . Lyrically and conceptually , Catastrophic Reconfiguration is all about death , metamorphosis , and decay … classic Molder topics . The title
Reconfiguration is a natural continuation from the last album , Engrossed in Decay , but shows more consistency with shorter songs , better production , and better songwriting throughout its perfect 34- minute runtime . With a more palatable production , recorded by Mathew Aguilar ( Cryptum , Molder ) and mixed and mastered by Greg Wilkinson ( Autopsy , Dipygus , Tortuous , Necrotic , etc .), Catastrophic Reconfiguration sounds like a massive , gurgling coagulation of filthy soundscapes that fits perfectly within the modern death metal aesthetic that Molder currently inhabits . Although Molder isn ’ t reinventing the death metal genre or experimenting with anything new on Catastrophic Reconfiguration . When you do it this well , there ’ s no need to .
-Kelley Simms
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track successfully wrangles all these elements into a compact , mid-paced rhythmic thrust with crusty riffs and killer ascending guitar leads . Molder ’ s thrashier elements shine through on tracks “ Brain Boil ” and “ Overdue Burial ,” the latter takes on an early Anthrax-era vibe , decorated with a snotty , punk rock attitude . “ Masked in Mold ,” with its reverb-drenched , wahwah effect and slower tempos , gleefully crushes the listener ’ s ears . At the same time , “ Bursted Innards ” and “ Corpse Copulation ” utilize some unforgettable vocal hooks in the choruses . In fact , every track has at least one of these hooky , memorable moments that get embedded into the brain . Chicago ’ s own , Cianide ’ s Scott Carroll , supplies some ferocious backing vocals on “ Frothing ” that fit in with Pantke ’ s various grunts and growls . Bassist Dominic Vaia shows off his skills with superb , swirling basslines on the chorus of album closer “ Nothing Left to Ooze .” Elsewhere , guitarist Carlos Santini steps his game up on many fantastic solos throughout the record , while drummer Kyle Poole ’ s relentless D-beat sections , splurges of blast beats , and thunderous double kick patterns add to the album ’ s ferocity . Catastrophic
THOMPSON TWINS Into the Gap 40th anniversary LP ( BMG )
Thompson Twins ’ fourth album , Into the Gap , is one of the emblematic New Wave albums of the ‘ 80s . The album was a creative , cultural , and commercial smash that saturated radio and theninfluential MTV . The album ’ s indelible singles include a song of reconciliation , “ Hold Me Now ,” the moody and amorous “ Doctor , Doctor ,” and the battered but hopeful “ You Take Me Up .” Initially released in February 1984 , the multi-platinum selling album was still a force in pop culture during the summer of 1985 when the multi-gender and multiracial act performed “ Hold Me Now ” at Live Aid . The song was Thompson Twins ’ highest-charting single in the US , december 2024 illinoisentertainer . com 17