200 Stab Wounds - Manual Manic Procedures (Album Review)
200 Stab Wounds – Manual Manic Procedures
Released: June 28th, 2024
Line Up:
Steve Buhl // Vocals/Guitars
Ezra Cook // Bass
Owen Pooley // Drums
Raymond Macdonald // Guitars
Online:
Official
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Instagram
Twitter
A young, hungry, raw death metal act that’s quickly been embraced by the hardcore scene, Cleveland’s 200 Stab Wounds have been carving a bloody trail through the heavy music underground since 2019. Lyrically and visually as gore-fixated as their name suggests, 200 Stab Wounds’ ascent is due to their extreme sound that is equal parts high-octane riff worship and groove-laden mosh-fests; think your classic 90s death metal style with a touch of crossover-hardcore and a dollop of Slayer and you’re on the right path. Their 2021 debut Slave To The Scalpel was a strong mission statement from the quartet, and with their sophomore Manual Manic Procedures promising a more focus on structure and songwriting, 200 Stab Wounds have a potential crossover smash with their newest effort.
‘Hands Of Eternity’ is a classic record opener; horror-movie soundscapes and creeping riffs move into an all-out jackhammering – it isn’t hard to imagine this track setting alight any mosh-pit, regardless of the crowd 200 Stab Wounds are in front of. The following sub-two-minute ‘Gross Abuse’ sees the Ohioans’ feet glued to the gas pedal, while the grooving title tune is physically impossible to not move along with. The guitar work on Manual Manic Procedures isn’t overweighted with extreme technicality, but it’s immediately grabbing stuff and nigh on impossible not to be swept up by the band’s collective power.
Both 200 Stab Wounds and producer Andy Nelson (Jesus Piece, Weekend Nachos) pull off a tremendous job of capturing the group’s visceral energy. At times – such as the aforementioned ‘Gross Abuse’ and the equally marauding ‘Release the Stench’ – it feels like drummer Owen Pooley is about to go over the edge, but that’s the beauty of Manual Manic Procedures; there’s a live feel to the sound, with a real push and pull to the tempos.
Instrumental ‘Led To The Chamber / Liquified’ is a nice album centerpiece - and Side B opener for vinyl listeners - the cut showing off the 80s horror film influence again, as well as some chaotic shredding and noise. ‘Defiled Gestation’ shows off more lead guitar work from roaring frontman Steve Buhl and newest member Raymond Macdonald, and is another sure-fire pit igniter thanks to the violent tempo changes during the extended intro. The finale ‘Parricide’ is a tremendous ending for the record. 200 Stab Wounds save some of their most hook-driven moments right until the very end, with a tremendous melodic (yet raging) guitar line slowly fading into a wall of feedback.
Manual Manic Procedures is a home run from 200 Stab Wounds, with the band taking all the energy and passion from their debut and live shows, and beefing it up with sharpened songwriting skills. Whether it was the plan or not, every track on this release - sans the expansive instrumental piece - sounds built for the live stage; whether you prefer to headbang, mosh, push, swing, kick, or two-step, you’ll get your fill on this LP. With the young four-piece already burning up the metal underground across North America and Europe, Manual Manic Procedures solidifies 200 Stab Wounds' career entering a purple patch - and is a front-runner for the death metal album of 2024.
200 Stab Wounds – Manual Manic Procedures tracklisting
- Hands Of Eternity
- Gross Abuse
- Manual Manic Procedures
- Release The Stench
- Led To The Chamber / Liquified
- Flesh From Within
- Defiled Gestation
- Ride The Flatline feat. Jami Morgan
- Parricide
Rating: 9/10
Manual Manic Procedures is out June 28th on Metal Blade Records. Order here
Review By – Andrew Kapper. Twitter: @andrew_kapper
