One Listen Review
1st Listen 8 Oct 25
Reviewed 10 Oct 25
Sanguisugabogg – Hideous Aftermath
Century Media
Released 10 Oct 25
Sanguisugabogg bring the heavy. Their first 2 albums were on the more humorous side of the death metal genre, but by Satan’s hairy bawsack were they heavy. How then, can Hideous Aftermath, album number 3 by the Ohio 4 piece, seem even heavier? Perhaps it is the top drawer production provided by one Kurt Ballou.
Perhaps even more striking is the reduction in the humour, leading to a more intense death metal sound. The upshot is, that Hideous Aftermath is a monstrously heavy album designed to make your ears bleed (in a good way) and to disembowel you at the same time.
The boys don’t fuck about. ‘Rotted Entanglement’ is the album opener and, with its big filthy riff showing intent from the outset, you know this will be genuinely heavy. Devin Swank
provides devastatingly guttural vocals and your bowels loosen as a result. It is a fantastic opener.
What is more surprising about Hideous Aftermath is the subtle groove that loiters within the track. ‘Ritual of Autophagia’ is perhaps the first track to show this side of the band off. It is noticed throughout the album and it complements the sheer heaviness of the album with ease.
Aggression is the nature of the band here. The riffs are downtuned, delivering a meaty sound that is amplified by the way Sanguisugabogg attack each and every track. ‘Abhorrent Contraception’ is going to be a live favourite – dripping with groove and sinister heaviness. ‘Repulsive Demise’ sees the band leaning towards a Bolt Thrower style ambience, a compliment if ever one could be given. The album is full of moments, full of little bits that make subsequent listens essential.
With Sanguisagbogg hitting Scotland in the New Year (thank you guys – it’s a hell of a line-up), I look forward to going to see them live. To enjoy the gig to the max, I will be giving this album multiple listens.Sanguisugabogg have released their best album to date. Hideous Aftermath is modern death metal perfection and demands you listen to it…. now!
The DevilsHorns 
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