Do you remember the hit show Figure it Out? If you’re like me, a millennial infatuated with the Nickelodeon culture of the ’90s and early 2000s, it was absolutely one of your favorite shows.
If not …
Well, you missed out.
I can assure you nothing was better than enjoying a nice TV dinner and a Capri Sun while watching the show’s gracious host, Summer Sanders, laugh hysterically at Danny Tamberelli having a bucket of slime dumped on his head.
Memories.
I apologize for the sudden nostalgia; I couldn’t help myself. I had to type that out to alleviate the shock from the realization that the show ran nearly two decades ago, that I’m now in my 30s, and that I continue to find more gray hairs atop my head. Thanks a lot, Slimelord.
Luckily, the juggernaut by way of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, curated a magnificently gooey glob of a debut death-doom full-length simply titled Chytridiomycosis Relinquished, so it’s easy to forgive them for reminding me that I’m now old. YES, OLD!
The record starts with “The Beckoning Bell,” an initial groveling opener with infectious, hooky riffs sprinkled with some clean reverb and bouts of tempo shifts, creating an almost psychedelic tone. At points, the pacing of the rhythm section coincides perfectly with the grooves before dropping into the breakneck repetition of pinch-harmonics and bellowed vocals, forming a cornucopia of doomy grotesqueness. Indeed, this thing comes across as grimy as you’d hope from a band deemed Slimelord from the get-go. Then, we run into tracks like “Gut-Brain Axis,” which may be reminiscent of something the entity known as Phantom Slaughter, from the swamps of Florida, USA, might conjure up on a Worm LP. In the song’s spectral hue, you’ll find many similar qualities in how each instrument plays an equal part—and is equally presented. The lead-playing here is also stunning.
It should also be mentioned that the production on the album here is extraordinary. While clean, there’s still enough room to let the toxins ooze. The production value was solidified on the first two tracks, but there’s an even grander example on songs like “Splayed Mudscape” and “The Hissing Moor.” “Splayed Mudscape,” specifically, encompasses the qualities I’ve mentioned up to this point, but there’s an even greater representation of vocal dynamics and an audible, chest-pounding bass tone. The latter parts of the song also put some of the best work from behind the kit on display. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the subtle sounds of bubbling liquids reminiscent of Ivan Ooze rising from the sewers in that one Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers movie. Thanks again for the nostalgia trip, Slimelord. “The Hissing Moor,” while still a brilliant display of the band’s focus on allowing each member of the band to shine and its production value, has some of the most dissonant moments on the record with swirling guitar melodies under hypnotic vocal patterns, like an evil shaman guiding you on a lousy ayahuasca trip.
If you make it far enough into the record to hear my favorite track, “Tidal Slaughtermarsh,” and I’m sure you will, it’ll become apparent this thing is all killer, no filler—even when it comes to the album’s segway at the midway point, “Batrachomorpha Resurrections Chamber.” However, regarding “Tidal Slaughtermarsh,” some of the most true-to-form death and doom metal moments persist throughout its eight-minute duration. While it took Slimelord five years to morph into their final form, so to speak, “Tidal Slaughtermash” is the culmination of those five years with its meticulous songwriting. I’ve praised the holistic performance from the band a few times up to this point, but you’ll see what I mean on this track.
The album ends with “Heroic Demise,” the shortest song, a weirdly beautiful (is that the correct term for a Slimelord album?). and fulfilling closer. As they’ve done throughout the album, they perfectly blend the ambiance of death and doom. However, on this one, they let the instrumentation take complete control. Even without the vocal dynamic, “Heroic Demise” is as strong as its predecessors.
If you enjoyed listening to prior Slimelord releases, without a shadow of a doubt, you’ll be more than pleased with their debut LP. Chytridiomycosis Relinquished is a polished, superbly written, and, for lack of a better descriptor, entertaining piece of work—you’ll find yourself entranced from the moment the geese start honking just seconds into the record.
Side note: I’m not too fond of geese.
Nonetheless, Chytridiomycosis Relinquished will make fans of those unfamiliar with their work, too. They’ve churned out an album filled with tangible moments fans of either the doom or death metal genre can appreciate. From the production to the songwriting, Slimelord nailed this one.
And if, for some reason, you don’t enjoy this …
Well, in the words of Summer Sanders …
Figure it out!
Photo by Bradley Lightfoot
