Cattle Decapitation-The Harvest Floor
Metal Blade
January 20, 2009

Anyone that has even remotely followed Cattle Decapitation knows of their hatred of meat eating. Somehow, The Harvest Floor, manages to sound like the bowels of the slaughter house full of both animals and humans with squeals, gutteral screams, swirling guitars and a flat out assault on all those listening. This album can sound down right scary at times, almost making me want to put the hamburger down; a commendable outcome that shows that talent these musicians possess.

The musicianship, as expected, is damn near flawless. Being a metal band, the blast beat and speed riffs are off the map, the double bass pounds away like a marathon runner from Kenya, and the technical prowess is jawdropping. There are a lot of different parts, but its not overbearing, as Cattle Decapitation manage to keep things interesting. Its crazy thinking that this sound is coming from only three instrument players.

Rounding out the foursome is vocalist Travis Ryan, who has a voice that may be more technical than some bands' albums. Ryan finds a spot for any type of metal voice you can think of, and then adds some extra flair to make things even more interesting. With a metal band as technical as Cattle Decapitation, the vocalist isn't usually the centerpiece, but Ryan is without overshadowing his counterparts, making an album that, while not being for the weak or squeemish, seriously shreds on all levels.

Written by: RF
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