I’m not into this whole zombie phenomenon. I’ve never participated in a zombie crawl, planned for the zombie apocalypse, or watched a single episode of “The Walking Dead.” So naturally I was skeptical when I came across a promo for a band called Zombie Inc. I assumed it would be some snot-nosed metalcore kids trying to cash in without having anything to do with actual zombies. But when I learned that they feature the talents of one Martin Schirenc (ex-Pungent Stench vocalist), I changed my tune immediately. That’s a guy and a band that knows a thing or two about the macabre, and A Dreadful Decease is a fine splatter platter of semi-melodic death metal thematically rooted in B-movie horror lore and, of course, zombies.
Across repeated listening, one begins to notice a certain flow, both rhythmically and lyrically. Perhaps this IS the zombie apocalypse, or at least a prophetic version of it. I’ve used my analytical prowess and limited knowledge of zombie stereotypes and broken A Dreadful Decease down to three unique but unofficial parts. Feel free to correct me if I’ve made any mistakes.
Part 1 – The Invasion
After a friendly newscaster informs us that the dead have been coming back to life, “The Chaosbreed” and “Deadtribe Sinister” provide the soundtrack for their rising from the earth and marching on humanity, and for the population’s initial, panicked response. Both tracks lay down a sense of impending doom, and that these people – like me – are ill-prepared for this day. The attack begins on “Challenge of the Undead,” and the music follows suit. Humans and zombies clash, but only one will prevail. With “Horde Unleashed,” the zombie army has clearly overpowered the humans, falling one by one to become little more than zombie fodder. This is the perfect set up for . . .
Part 2 – The Feeding
With the humans overpowered and bodies littering the landscape, the methodical trudge of “We Must Eat!” provides the ideal soundtrack for a zombie feeding frenzy. The dead are trampled underfoot; the living continue to be pursued and captured; and those in between are dealt a fate of being consumed by the zombie hordes. As the massacre continues, “Bloodrain Overdose” and “Grim Brutality” paint graphic and . . . well, grim portraits of the landscape. Mangled bodies, broken and battered… crimson covers the horizon… and the sounds of death metal echo across the sky. But, wait – are those corpses moving?!
Part 3 – The Conquest
It was only a matter of time. From the human carnage rises a new wave of zombie predators. “Horror Fills This Hollow Earth” as humans systematically fall only to rise and join the ranks of the undead and further spread “A Dreadful Decease” to the ever-weakening resistance forces. The last of the living are eliminated; a victory celebration breaks out in honor of the demise of Planet Earth and the establishment of “Planet Zombie.”
So there you have it: Zombie Inc. has produced a perfectly enjoyable – and bloody – audio movie here in A Dreadful Decease. Death metal fans and B-movie lovers should get a kick out of it. Those who are a little more stuffy or artsy may wish to look elsewhere. I hear there are lots of extreme metal bands dealing in suicidal depression these days.
