With a name like Dying Fetus, it probably goes without saying that anybody who likes to while away their spare time watching videos of cute kittens on YouTube is best advised to steer well clear. You’ll certainly struggle to find anything in the vein of ‘Walkin’ on Sunshine’ in their back catalogue, but what you might uncover - assuming you’re that way inclined - is a slew of some of the most impressive technical death metal records of the past couple of decades. The Maryland trio - comprised currently of John Gallagher, the only remaining founding member, on guitar and vocals, Sean Beasley on bass and vocals and Trey Williams behind the kit - are among the pioneers of this particularly complex offshoot of the death metal genre.
Their records, which include the likes of 2007’s ‘War of Attrition’, 2009’s ‘Descend into Depravity’ and 2012’s ‘Reign Supreme’, are characterized by intense, furious guitar work, Gallagher’s hellish vocal delivery, and unerringly sophisticated percussive work. The former two of those records introduced a move, in the group’s sound, towards groove-based metal, but with ‘Reign Supreme’, they made the decision to return to their roots - much to the delight of their international fanbase, which they regularly perform in front of - the band are regular fixtures on both the U.S. and UK touring circuits.
I guess the band name Dying Fetus is not particularly cheery but then neither is the music that this Maryland death metal band creates. With over twenty years of experience on the circuit and although the lineups have changed often, John Gallagher remains the consistent and driving creative force of this outfit. At times in their career the constant changing in band members really effected the live performance as the musicians onstage had no chemistry or connection and the whole thing felt disjointed yet they are playing back on form in recent years led by the powerhouse that is Gallagher.
The new albums have been received well by the old fans and have won them new fans too so the shows become packed out and intensify the already charged atmosphere. It is no gig for bystanders as the trio of musicians expect the whole room to become involved in moshing, jumping and head banging for extreme versions of 'One Shot, One Kill' and the controversial 'Intentional Manslaughter'. They sign off tonight's show in salute to the energetic audience with a chilling performance of 'Your Treachery Will Die With You' complete with thrashed out instrumentals.