Cleveland, Ohio’s 200 Stab Wounds and Metal Blade Records are reissuing the band’s classic first EP Piles of Festering Decomposition, originally released in 2020 through Maggot Stomp Records. This early modern take on old-school death metal is set to drop on November 8, 2024. 200 Stab Wounds have built a massive fan base over the past few years with the success of their two full-length albums, Slave to the Scalpel (2021) and Manual Manic Procedures (2024). Known for their relentless touring schedule and high-energy live shows, the band has earned a strong reputation in the death metal community. The lineup on this recording featured Steve Buhl on guitar and vocals, Lance Buckley on guitar, bassist Ezra Cook, and drummer Owen Dooley. All members remain in the band today, with the exception of Lance, who was replaced by Raymond Macdonald as the second guitarist in 2023.

This reissued version of the EP contains five tracks, clocking in at a quick fourteen minutes. The final two tracks were originally bonus tracks, available only on certain editions of the 2020 release, either cassette or vinyl. It’s worth noting that this is an early work in the band’s discography, so listeners shouldn’t expect the same level of musicianship, production, and songwriting seen in Manual Manic Procedures, which is already a strong contender for death metal album of the year. However, this early EP still showcases many of the band’s core strengths and holds up well on its own. Here’s a rundown of the five tracks:

The EP opens with ‘Maggot Casket,’ which kicks off with a haunting, chaotic atmospheric intro that sets the stage for Steve Buhl’s deep, menacing growls. The song successfully alternates between filthy mid-tempo grooves and blistering, blast beat-driven aggression. At just two and a half minutes, 200 Stab Wounds pack in plenty of punishing, memorable riff hooks, technically tight musicianship, and dynamic old-school death metal songwriting. It’s a brutally effective opener.

The second track, ‘Body in the Basement,’ highlights Owen Dooley’s barbaric and relentless drumming. It begins with a few single snare hits, then erupts into a barrage of blast beats and intricate drum fills. The track’s groove-laden riffs are irresistibly nasty, an early example of the band’s knack for blending brutality with catchiness, a skill that would shine even more on their future albums. This song is punishingly heavy and promises to induce some vicious head banging.

‘She Was Already Dead’ continues the horror-inspired themes in both title and lyrics. Steve’s vocals are raw and primal, evoking a sound that would make his old-school death metal predecessors proud. Once again, the guitar work shines, moving between frenetic riffing and slower, mosh-inducing breakdowns. Despite the EP’s unyielding brutality, the band manages to craft surprisingly catchy and varied songwriting, squeezing in numerous twists and turns within each brief two-and-a-half-minute song.

‘Digested Desire,’ though only slightly over two minutes, highlights the band’s technical precision and cohesive sound. The song is marked by thick, punishing guitar riffs, crushingly heavy rhythms, and atmospheric guttural vocals. Originally only available as a bonus on limited cassette and vinyl editions, ‘Digested Desire’ fits seamlessly with the rest of the EP’s material, showcasing the band’s distinct sound. The EP concludes with a hard-hitting cover of Carcass’s ‘Ruptured in Purulence’ from Symphonies of Sickness. 200 Stab Wounds stay true to the raw aggression and chunky riffs of the original, adding their own twist, particularly in the vocal delivery. The cover includes standout bass lines before exploding into unfiltered chaos. The band deserves credit for tackling such a challenging song and doing it justice with their own brutal style.

In conclusion, Piles of Festering Decomposition serves as an impressive glimpse into the early stages of 200 Stab Wounds’ evolution, showcasing the raw energy and budding talent that would later define their signature sound. Though rougher around the edges than their recent work, the EP is a testament to the band’s commitment to the genre and their ability to craft memorable, heavy-hitting death metal. This reissue not only captures a crucial moment in the band’s journey but also offers fans a chance to experience the ferocity that first put 200 Stab Wounds on the map.