Public Grave - Grotesque Mutations

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 28 Feb 2025

Tracklist:

1. Patient Zero

2. Grotesque Mutations

3. Lockdown Brutality (feat. Tim Köhler)

4. Faking The Cadaver

5. Walking Corpse Syndrome

6. Forced Fed by Blunt Weaponry

7. Human Organ Harvesting

8. Kill Eat Resurrect Repeat (feat. Larry Wang)

Seven years on from their debut album Cadaverous Resurrection, German death/slam quartet Public Grave return with their second full-length Grotesque Mutations. This album features guest appearances from members of compatriots Knockdown Brutality and Taiwanese brutal death metal/grindcore band Gorepot. While I may sound like I know what I'm talking about here, Public Grave are completely new to me, such is the ever shifting (and growing) musical landscape I try to inhabit. 

Here we go; the chilling hospital samples and screams that make up album opener ‘Patient Zero’ depicts a scene of horror, which is befitting of Public Grave’s imagery and sound. It immediately flows into the title track ‘Grotesque Mutations’, which is an upbeat/thrash filled slab of extreme metal. it seemed as though the intro’s volume on the recording was higher than the song that bare’s the album’s name, but I’ll reserve judgement on that.

Next up it’s ‘Lockdown Brutality’, featuring Tim Köhler from Knockdown Brutality. It leans much more towards slam and the volume is definitely higher, which puts pay to my earlier comments. Aside from the gnarly vocals delivery, it’s the percussion that really leads the way on this record, with the guitars somewhat deeper in the mix at times. There’s a subtly humorous side to Public Grave too. Naming a song ‘Faking The Cadaver’ could either be a nod to US slam/brutal death legends Waking The Cadaver or just a clever play on words, but whatever the answer, the song itself is generously filled with breakdowns and guttural vocals.

If it’s succinct death metal you’re after, ‘Walking Corpse Syndrome’ is definitely that! It’s the shortest song on Grotesque Mutations aside from the opener and because of that Public Grave are even more focused on delivering the best music they can. With the stark imagery conjured by the title ‘Forced Fed Blunt Weaponry’, the mood switches between the band’s usual up-tempo bludgeoning and more mid-tempo, old-school atmosphere. Public Grave don’t stray too far away from their characteristic sound but there’s definitely something extra going on here.

As they reach the album’s final two songs, ‘Human Organ Harvesting’ offers up more groove with added mosh sensibilities. The tempo changes led by the percussion are handled really well, while vocals and guitars compliment each other. On album closer ‘Kill Eat Resurrect Repeat’, Public Grave are joined by Larry Wang of Taiwanese band Gorepot and it’s a match made in brutal death heaven! Larry’s vocals add an extra layer of extremity to the recording and Public Grave feed off of it, loosening the reigns even further.

Grotesque Mutations is a strong death metal release that will appeal to those who already obsess over the style. Public Grave themsevles are very proficient musically and seem to mature as the album progresses. A solid performance all round.

You can stream Grotesque Mutations via all the usual outlets (except for Bandcamp curiously). They're linked up here - https://publicgrave.de. Physical records, CDs and other merch is available here - https://publicgrave.de/shop/.

Public Grave - https://www.facebook.com/publicgrave