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Erotishock Therapy reviews

Review by: Kunal www.diabolicalconquest.com
Syphilic is a new one-man brutal death metal band from the vocalist of Mutilated [review] and Gutrot, Brian Forgue. And on his band's debut, Erotishock Therapy, Brian handles all the instruments including drum machine programming. Now this, I'm sure you will agree, is not a walk in the park. For a vocalist to single-handedly write and play everything on his 12-track full-length album is laudable as well as scary, because in a time where brutal albums are released faster and more consistently than shit from a large diarrhoeic horse, his chances of making a presence felt in the scene let alone leave a mark are minimal. Does vocalist Brian Forgue's ambitious project merely corroborate your preconceived notions of it then?

Oh, absolutely not. Syphilic will surpass your weak expectations by such a great margin that it will make you look retarded. To use one word for its music: staggering. Unsurprisingly influenced by the brutal one-man bands of good repute, Putrid Pile and Insidious Decrepancy, Syphilic's music is like a tribute to them; only it betters some of their work. Brian, apart from having six fingers on each hand, a fine ear for music, and ultra flexible vocal cords, also has an oversized brain. Using that, he has culled only the best elements of those two bands and then augmented the sound using some of his own homemade therapy. Erotishock Therapy falls thus somewhere between The Pleasure In Suffering and Decadent Orgy of Atrocious Suffering, the best work yet of those two bands.

Cruising in its fluid, seamless, and sinuous manner, Syphilic's music makes you feel as if you are experiencing an extreme roller coaster ride. At a dizzying, neck-breaking speed the music takes you up and down, left and right, round and round its convoluted tracks, your limbs flap about from side to side with each turn like saucy red noodles, and you take heart from the fact that the ride is bolstered firmly by riffs that are actually solid, real, legitimate riffs and not some cheap jun-jun brootal crap masquerading as them. Cramped with smooth pace fluctuations and tempo changes, the ride on this elaborately designed structure is timed beautifully. Strapped on tight to it like a baby and just as awestricken and mesmerised, you don't want to bail out of this surreal experience but wait till the very end of it, after which you can't wait to experience it all over again once you stop reeling.

For his technical music that is mind-boggling not mindless, Brian's performance in the vocal department is a tour de force. Ultra brutal vocals rarely went better with this form of music, with Brian deploying every weapon from his arsenal (serrated yet streamlined grunts, interminable squeals, inhuman screeches, et all), overwhelming you and demonstrating why he should be regarded as one of the best brutal vocalists in the scene today. With a contortive mouth like his and an awesome pair of lungs to boot, Brian can blow any conch in this world. You would think without his dynamic vocals his music would probably fall flat; that, my cynical friend, is far from the case. Take for instance "Prog" – an instrumental that promises to blow your mind along with all the scepticism stored in it. Brian the musician has arrived; have no doubt about it. The critical drum programming which could very easily hamper the music is commendably done. Production is competent on all counts, though it could have done with more meat. As for its shortcomings, the tracks on Erotishock Therapy can be too similar, as in for some it may seem like one long song. More punchy parts and mood-altering leads like that of Putrid Pile could prove to be very effective. For its kind of music, the album appears a song or two in excess of what would be a perfect start-to-finish listen, and perhaps Syphilic would want to keep its song lengths in check ("BTK" is seven minutes song!) lest it works negatively for it like the Scottish Regorge even with all its brilliance.

Technically proficient, engaging, and exuding enough sickness, Erotishock Therapy is a seriously impressive debut. I really didn't expect a vocalist to single-handedly put out what is undoubtedly one of the best brutal death metal albums of this year. I hereby decree Syphilic to be uttered in the same breath with Insidious Decrepancy and Putrid Pile when speaking of celebrated one-man brutal bands.

8.3 / 10

Link to review: http://www.diabolicalconquest.com/reviews/syphilic-erotishock_therapy.htm

Review by: Ulf grindeadwebzine.cjb.net
Music is like a drug, when you hear it you have a vision", those words sets off the debut Syphilic album "Erotishock theraphy" and I can do nothing but agree because the visions I get when I pop this piece of unearthly brutality are far beyond what I could ever have expected. To be honest when I first heard Syphilic years ago I wasn't really that fond of it, it was rather rough tracks though and it was at period when I wasn't that fond of technical death metal, but things have changed through the years and nowadays I'm more open to pretty much everything in death metal compared to how things were years ago.

Syphilic consists soley of Brian (vocals in both Mutilated and Gutrot) which means that he programs all the drums, plays all the guitar/bass and does the vocals. The vocaldepartment is as sinister and disgusting as usual and I personally think that Brian has a style of his own because before I heard him I had never heard anyone that were able to go as deep as he could, plus he has evolved a bit more offering some suprises that I know a very small group of vocalists would be able to pull off. I dont know about you readers, but I'm one of those who LOVE to sit and read the lyrics along with the vocals. These lyrics are some really nasty stuff that includes porn, gore, snuff etc., pretty basic stuff really, but written with a dark sense of humour, (the samples used on some of the songs are so damn funny, just listen to the beginning of "BTK").

The music itself is a sheer blast of technical death/grind with loads of temposhifts, some occasional grooves and slams and some progressive stuff as well (there is even a track on the cd entitled "Prog" that is an instrumental piece of music that is just what the title implies). At times I'm thinking about Goratory (their newest stuff), but with MUCH more brutal vocals, but apart from that I gotta say that Syphilic are rather original. However, I bet there are some "experts" out there that can name-drop LOADS of bands that Syphilic would share similarities with, but thats not only what I'm writing reviews for.

The booklet dosent really say where this cd was recorded, but it sounds really good anyhow. The guitars are rather crisp, chunky and clean to the point that you can make out whats happening all the time. Cant really say that much about the bass though since you dont really hear it in 90 % when it comes to this kind of music, my "numbers" arent to be trusted though and its only from a personal view. The programmed drums are really well-programmed, actually some of the best I've heard ever they sound pretty "human" as well apart from some of the cymbals that you sometimes reminds you that it's programmed drums that you hear and not real ones, but thats nothing that makes this album worth any less.

Other things that are worth mentioning about this album are that Brian has asked some of the sickest vocalists in the death/grind scene to do guestvocals on the cd. You got Justin from Orchi..omy, Blue and Randy from Guttural secrete, Adam from Goratory/Sexcrement and some guy called DareK that I dont really know if he's any band or not, but it's a welcoming addition to music since it comes out sounding really really sick. Also, Russ (Mutilated/Gutrot) does some solos on the instrumental track "Iceman" and a dude called Josh Duran does a solo on the track "Nursing home kneebash" that actually appeals to my liking since I'm not that fond of solos when it comes to brutal death metal.

So if you're expecting something to Gutrot/Mutilated then you'll be "disappointed" because this is way more brutal although you can hear hints of Brians other two before mentioned bands (especially on the vocals). I although belive that anyone into brutal stuff would get into this cd, especially if you like technical and progressive stuff!

Link to review: http://inhumandissiliency.com/grindead/reviews/syphilicreview.html

Review by: Seiji www.ingurgitateddecapitation.cjb.net/
I just remember interviewing brian for syphilic two years ago and then i was sure the band would become one of cooler bands.and finally brian released long awaited release.i dont know if you know syphilic is one man band .what i wanna say is that he is so talented and plays all instruments and do drum programming in cool ways.guitar riffs are so varied and groovey if you ask me.there are many cool blasting, groovey,techy and breakdown parts.but syphilic doesnt lose the catchness.thats awesome

And i must mention about his vocals! needless to say,he is the sicker vocalist of gutrot(and he is also new staff of ingurgitated decapitation!!!).those are ultra low and sewer style vox! he is one of the sickest and lowest vocalists.im sure everyone is agreed with me hehe.all instruments really fit his vocals so much and create the cool harmony.

All freaks of guttural slamming brutal shit,must buy this! syphilic is ultra sick guttural slamming band and you will be shocked by this for sure!!! dont miss it. gooood job brian!!

-Seiji

Review by: Gabriel site.voila.fr/NIHILISTIC
SYPHILIC is a Brutal death sub-project of Brian from MUTILATED (Usa) that might rather entertain two categories of brutal mummies: Those who like it cool (For the "old" brutal death mood), and those who like it complex. This is well played, well programmed (Drum machine), well produced, but not much stands out on a necro-erotic point of view. It might be due to the fact each song is composed of many riffs and breaks, so this isn't exactly greasy listening... It might be right, in part, because some riffs sound cool while there are also some not-so-cool guitars and elements that apparently do not reflect emotions (Are you still there?). So I will say it might have been more efficient with a brutal lifting.

In fact, this project isn't as modern as what you could expect. There are obviously a lot of typically rhythmic Us blasting brutality, but one could also find the more "melodic" of DEEDS OF FLESH, as well as older styled Us and European Death metal... But after all, the fact it's built around many riffs, and contains low pitched vocals (That happen to penetrate the gore) would categorize SYPHILIC in the "modern" fields of death anyway. Some influences: SPAWN OF POSSESSION, MORTAL DECAY, INFESTDEAD, old CANNIBAL CORPSE, DISGORGE (Usa), BROKEN HOPE (For some technic), BRUTALITY...

Hopefully, this isn't always "Too much of too much" as there occur to be quite fresh ideas that improve the edibleness. I'm not that impressed by SYPHILIC on an emotional/ spiritual point of view, but it's quite solid music that might please fans of complex Brutal Death.

Link to review: http://site.voila.fr/NIHILISTIC/Reviews/CDS.htm

Review by: Scyth www.gutturalzine.net | www.myspace.com/gutturalzine
What do you do, when you're acting as a singer in 2 different bands but this activity does not fill you out? Right, you're starting a third project, if necessary complete single-handled. Brain Forgue (Mutilated, Gutrot) must have thought the same think, as he created his new project called Syphilic under aid of some alcohol. First burned on CD-R and furnished with a printed cover and a little acknowledgement this album called "Erotishock Therapy" came later flown to me as a freshly pressed version. And I really have to say that the whole thing is for a 1 man band more than satisfying. This starts already with the pretty cool looking cover artwork and the fitting layout, which extends over several sites thick booklet. I can't say if this already has been created in cooperation with the label Cephalic Records, which is mentioned in the booklet, but I can say that it however really makes a professional impression. But with the artwork and the layout it's not already the end. The brutal music one will find on "Erotishock Therapy" is for sure to go one better easily. In direct comparison with Brian's other bands Syphilic is envelop a more progressive way and does differ through this a lot from other typical brutal US bands. Unbelievable strong varying riffs with sometimes almost chaotically working breaks are mixed with the typical toughness of Brutal Death and the thereto fitting puke vocals and let accrue for Brutal Death circumstances a pretty atypical album. One will get the complete pallet of different riffs, which are underlined with the necessary ass kicking factor through a very good programmed drum computer. It occurred only rarely that the drum sound from the plug socket was able to please me, because often it was just sounding too synthetically and one was able to notice very clearly that the drum sound wasn't authentic. However on "Erotishock Therapy" things are looking totally different. Apart from a very few locations one could really get the impression that a real drummer is doing his work here and releases one blast attack after the other one on mankind. The main component of this brutal cocktail is for sure Brian's voice. It is simply incredible what this fellow has on the box when it comes to guttural vocals. Who thought his vocals for Mutilated or Gutrot are already offering the maximum is instructed a better one. Beneath some normal deep growls one will get guttural rattle at its best. The most time it sounds like Brian is gargling with the toilet water while having his head hanging in a toilet full with shit. For sure one of the best brutal albums of the year if one speaks about the vocals. But Brian ain't the only singer here giving his best. Equivalent 5 further guest singers could be won for "Erotishock Therapy". First we have Justin from Orchidectomy, Blue and Randy from Guttural Secrete (fuck yeah, author's note) as well as Adam from Goratory/Sexcrement and some guy called Darek. Clitoruss (Mutilated) and Josh Duran are doing some nice solos on "Iceman" and "Nursing Home Kneebash". One could already speak about an Brutal Death all star project here. Therefore not enough one can also find a cool instrumental track ("Prog") on this album as a little give-away and a few longer but therefore even more merrily („It's not a rocket you sick fuck, its a cock! A cock and balls!") samples at the tracks "BTK" and "Play Catch, You Lose". Totaled up "Erotishock Therapy" is running for barely 45 minutes, which is for a Brutal Death Metal band, especially for a 1 man band very remarkable. I was not able to find really big negative points on this album, as it's simply killing and making mood from the beginning to the end. Maybe some people will find "Erotishock Therapy" a little bit to progressive, but that is again a question of the own taste and has nothing to do with the actual quality of this album. Personally I really enjoyed Syphilic's debut album. If such a banger of a Brutal Death Metal album is the result of using some alcohol, then I can just say: drink, Brian, drink. Drink much and drink fast, so one can listen to another banger like this one soon.

Link to review: http://www.gutturalzine.net/reviews/syphiliceng.htm