By this point in their career, Jungle Rot would have seemed to run out of surprises. Except that 2009s What Horrors Await surprised everyone by being their strongest album to date.  For once they actually injected some solos into their bursts of barbaric, mid-paced Death Metal.  Perhaps channeling the savage on their album cover, Kill on Command finds Jungle Rot speeding things up and dropping the thickest grooves of their career.

Album opener “Their Finest Hour” roars and rumbles like a tank.  The song unloads a great collection of grooves before surging into a hefty skull crusher.  Vocalist/guitarist Dave Matrise gurgles and barks while new drummer Jesse Beahler (Shadows in the Crypt) finds enough room between the salvo of riffs to squeeze out a blast beat.  In some weird measure, the track totally lives up to its name and proves Jungle Rot really means business this time around. “Bloodties” continues the more savage than usual pace for the band and even finds them experimenting with gang vocals and a breakdown. Surprisingly, they both work while the majority of the track grinds and grooves.  “Rise Up and Revolt” rips open with some melancholic melodies before the oozing aggression takes over.  Again Jungle Rot is hitting hard and faster than they ever have before.

The title track actually employs the rumbling tank tread sound effects for its initial moments before switching between crawling riffs and mid-paced chaos.  The decrease in speed is a nice break from the assault of the previous three tracks but does not mean aggression has been skimped upon.  “Demoralized” gets back to the hustling grind while Beahler’s drums almost drown out the killer riffs.  The opening solo puts “Push Comes to Shove” into new territory for the band.  The song utilizes several different tempos, punishing riffs, a meaty breakdown and even a melodic hook making for one of the most complex Jungle Rot tracks ever released. But it’s the mosh-pit anthem “I Predict a Riot” that really embodies the chaos with a hefty dose of blasts among some seriously killer riffs.  Things slow down with both “No Mercy (For the Merciless)” and “Born of Contagion” which are the most classic-styled Jungle Rot tracks on Kill on Command.  However, both feature solos which are rather atypical for the Rot.  Album closer “Life Negated” jumps and leaps between some of the slowest moments on the disc to some of the most aggressive, making for an impressive end to an impressive album.

Known for their no-frills Death Metal, Kill on Command shows Jungle Rot actually adding some frills.  Even though the blasts, melodies, gang vocals and solos are few, it adds a nice dimension to the disc.  But what really makes Kill on Command so awesome is the aggression. Plus the riffs are lethal and among the band’s best.  In fact, Kill on Command is Jungle Rot’s finest hour.  Well, half-hour. Kill on Command is 33-minutes of pure savagery. Highly recommended for fans of Obituary, Hail of Bullets, Gorefest and Six Feet Under.

TRACK LISTING

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

1.  Their Finest Hour
2.  Bloodties
3.  Rise Up and Revolt
4.  Kill on Command
5.  Demoralized
6.  Push Comes to Shove
7.  I Predict a Riot
8.  No Mercy (From the Merciless)
9.  Born of Contagion
10.  Life Negated

Total playing time:  33:52

Release Date: June 21, 2011
Label: Victory Records

Jungle Rot - Kill on Command

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

June 23, 2011