Unburied-Murder 101

Selfmadegod
2013

Virginia's Unburied was formed in 1994 by vocalist/guitarist Matt Pike. This is just the second full-length release to come from since their formation although there has been some demo material and splits. The band is also known for the fact that it features Mark Riddick ( Fetid Zombie, Macabra, Grave Wax) who, in addition to contributing bass, vocals and programming on "Murder 101", is well known for his side job in the field of underground metal. For you see Mark Riddick is also an artist and he's done work for quite a few bands. That includes everything from album art to T-shirts and yes, that is his artwork you see above. Rounding out the band is well-traveled drummer Brian Forman (Fetid Zombie, Grave Wax, Orthus, Infernal Massacre) so this band has some talent to lean on. Or so you'd expect. With 11 tracks all together (nine original songs and two cover tracks-"Abraxas Annihilation" by Integrity and "Witchburner" by G.G. Allin) this album is 11 tracks too many! What is supposed to be gore and guts death metal is instead one LONG blur of mindless noise. "Murder 101" lacks any sort of direction and instead just lumbers along getting easily lost in this maddening mixture of basement death metal and substandard hardcore. Nothing sticks out other then how everything sticks together in a gooey mess. For everything good I had heard about Unburied this proved to be a torturous listening experience. Unless you somehow get off on blurry deathish noise I'd avoid this album.