Unfleshed – Twisted Path to Mutilation [Full Length, 2020]

Apparently Unfleshed has been around for quite some time, specifically since end of 90s. And it took them 20 years for the Portugal-based Death Metal unit to finally came up with their debut full length, Twisted Path to Mutilation via Larvae Records in December 2020. I am not disappointed, since it’s a decent Death Metal record clearly influenced by Death Metal giants such as Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, and Suffocation.

Twisted Path to Mutilation offers a Death Metal delivered in a rabid and almost-maniacal manner in the form of blood-curdling vocals, razor sharp guitars, and heart-pounding drums throughout. Unfleshed clearly belongs to the 90s decade with their approach. It’s neither primitive nor ultra modern. It’s not barbaric with instruments plodding everything in one massive mess or overproduced hype but rather taking a middle ground, focusing on what 90s Death Metal did best: killer riffs, nonsensical violence and without being overly technical. Twisted Path to Mutilation is a chaotic release and probably was written long time ago judging from the songwriting style. 

Twisted Path to Mutilation also comes with Unfleshed’s 2000 Demo ‘Exhuming the Bastards’. I honestly don’t care much but if you’re curious to know how they sounded back when they started, you should give it a listen. Twisted Path might not be original in whatever they’re offering, that’s for sure, but it’s always interesting to see how bands from Europe taking influences from American DM bands and try to put a spin to it. Unfleshed however, did nothing much, and I’d like to think the album was written long time ago. Perhaps their next release will show some maturity and confidence to put some creativity in their approach. But until then, bang your head to this sick album.

Twisted Path to Mutilation is now available in CD and digital download format.

FFO: Suffocation, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse