This 22-track double CD reissue from Cherry Red’s Dissonance imprint revisits the band’s foundational works, 1991’s Considered Dead and 1993’s The Erosion of Sanity, in a package that underscores their early brutality and sets the stage for their future technical mastery.
Formed by Luc Lemay in 1989, Gorguts wasted no time establishing themselves on Roadrunner Records with Considered Dead, a raw, feral statement of intent that boasted guest spots from Chris Barnes (Cannibal Corpse) and James Murphy (Death, Obituary). Standouts like “Disincarnated” and “Rottenatomy” still sound razor-sharp, tightly coiled, punchy, and packed with morbid flair. These early cuts placed Gorguts shoulder-to-shoulder with death metal’s elite.
CD two, The Erosion of Sanity, reveals a band beginning to stretch their limbs. Tracks like “Condemned to Obscurity” and “Orphans of Sickness” hint at the angular chaos and forward-thinking dissonance they’d later become revered for. The production is more refined, and the songwriting takes a marked step into more adventurous territory, without sacrificing impact.
Both albums are remastered with care, and the inclusion of demo cuts adds further depth for collectors. The extensive liner notes by Olivier Badin, featuring a fresh interview with Lemay, offer fascinating insights into this pivotal era of the band’s evolution, which will no doubt excite old-school death metal militia.
Long regarded by fans as hidden gems of the genre, this reissue not only cements Gorguts’ legacy, it highlights just how enduring and essential these early albums still are. A must-have for death metal diehards and curious newcomers alike. 4/5
Pre-orders can be found here. Release date, June 13th.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie
