Jungle Rot's latest album, 'Cruel Face of War', is a disappointing addition to their extensive discography. The band has been a stalwart of groovy death metal for three decades, consistently delivering fresh and reliable output every two to four years. However, this consistency has also become their prison, as they remain locked in a groove so deep that they haven't pulled out from it yet. The album's sound is a blend of Obituary and Bolt Thrower influences, with trace amounts of Hatebreed and Slaughter to Prevail, but it fails to break free from the monotony of an otherwise wearisome chuggathon. The riffs on 'When the Elders Rise' and 'Rot Riffs' carry just enough character to differentiate themselves, but most others are indistinguishable without playing them back-to-back. The band's adherence to convention pays dividends, but it also limits the album's upside. The pacing is varied, with a menacing, mid-paced skulk and a faster, more predatory trot, but it never commits to woebegone plods or balls-out blitzes. The solos are efficient yet expressive, particularly on 'Cruel Face of War' and 'Horrors Vile', but the overall sound is too familiar and fails to inspire. The band's reluctance to stray from the path oft-traveled raises the question of why they recorded new material. In my opinion, Jungle Rot needs to venture into unfamiliar territory to break free from their Jungle Rut and truly make a step forward. Rating: Disappointing.
