I was staring out the window on a dull Sunday morning, trying to come up with a great idea as to how I should start this review, but my mind was completely blank, totally drained of logical thoughts. I’m not sure if it was the nerves that were beginning to have an effect on me since I had to talk to bassist Alex Webster later that day. But the more I came to think about it, the more I realized that Cannibal Corpse is a band that really doesn’t need any introduction 'cause most people know their name, no matter if they like the music or not. Cannibal Corpse is simply an institution in death metal.

I must admit that the last couple of Cannibal Corpse CD’s haven’t had much play time in my CD-player; not that they were bad in any way but they just weren’t that exciting compared to their earlier material such as Tomb of the Mutilated and Eaten Back to Life. But The Wretched Spawn is a whole different story. I might go as far to say that The Wretched Spawn is possible their best album since the aforementioned Tomb of the Mutilated.

The opener “Severed Head Stoning” is a good hint of what is to come. It takes off in a fierce pace, bearing all the usual trademarks of Cannibal Corpse, and from there on there is really no turning back. Next up is “Psychotic Precision” and “Decency Defiled”, two equally great tracks both with catchy and simple choruses that quickly get stuck in the head. Up next is “Frantic Disembowelment”, another fierce and brutal song that does what it’s supposed to do: eliminate. The title track is one of the slower tracks and it works as the perfect link between the previous song and “Cyanide Assassin” which is yet another malevolent attack. “Festering in the Crypt” is a pretty slow song according to Cannibal Corpse standards but still a gut-ripping tune. Next up is one of my personal favourites, “Nothing Left to Mutilate”, which of course is typical Cannibal Corpse with a catchy riff that really sticks out. “Blunt Force Castration” is yet another merciless assault of speed and precision. The last four tracks tend to remain a little anonymous, but still this doesn’t mean they are boring in any way. They are just not quite as dominant as the rest.

The Wretched Spawn never seems to become monotone or dull, and most of the material is catchy and memorable due to the structure of the arrangements that range from being ultra fast to mid-tempo parts and even slower ones as well. The Wretched Spawn bears all the familiar trademarks of Cannibal Corpse, so if you like any of their previous releases or if you’re just looking for some quality death metal, then don’t hesitate in getting The Wretched Spawn.