Car Seat Headrest built Death Metal as a statement of intent. The title is literal: this is a full-length rock record about death, and it wants to be taken seriously. After years of lo-fi bedroom recordings, the band went pro, recorded with a full band, and cut the fat down to a single 45-minute track. The result is a tighter, darker version of the project’s earlier work, one that trades the sprawl of earlier albums for a leaner, more focused sound.
Opening With “Death Metal”
The album opens with “Death Metal,” a track that sets the tone immediately. It is blunt, heavy, and unapologetic about its subject matter. The song runs nearly ten minutes, and it earns every second of that runtime through sheer force of will. The lyrics are direct and unvarnished, dealing with mortality, loss, and the weight of living. It is a strong opener that announces the album’s intentions without wasting a note.
“Breathe In, Breathe Out”
“Breathe In, Breathe Out” follows with a more melodic edge. The track shifts the focus from pure heaviness to a more introspective, almost wistful mood. It is a slower burn, but it holds the listener’s attention through its quiet intensity. This is one of the album’s best moments, a track that shows the band can move beyond the raw aggression of the title track without losing its grip.
“Numb Back Half”
“Numb Back Half” is where the record starts to show its seams. The middle section of the album is where the momentum dips slightly, and this track is the clearest example of that dip. It is not bad, but it lacks the urgency of the songs around it. The title suggests a numbness, and the music delivers on that promise in a way that feels more resigned than compelling.
“Twin Sisters”
“Twin Sisters” picks the pace back up. The track brings back some of the energy lost in the middle stretch, and it does so with a driving rhythm that keeps the album moving forward. It is a solid, if not outstanding, addition to the record. The song does not reinvent the wheel, but it does not need to. It serves as a bridge between the stronger material on either side.
“Severed Tongue”
“Severed Tongue” closes the album with a final push. The track is shorter and more direct than the sprawling opener, and it lands with a sense of finality that fits the overall theme of the record. It is a strong closer, one that ties the album’s themes together without overstaying its welcome.
Comparing the Two Albums
| Album | Length | Critical Reception |
|---|---|---|
| Death Metal | 45 minutes | More straightforward, cohesive |
| Predecessor | Longer | Less focused |
The comparison is simple: Death Metal is tighter, more direct, and more focused than the album that came before it. That predecessor was praised for its ambition but criticized for its sprawl. This record answers that criticism by cutting everything unnecessary.
The Verdict
Death Metal is a strong record from a band that has grown up. The production is clean, the performances are confident, and the songwriting is sharper than ever. It does not reinvent the wheel, but it does not need to. What it offers is a cohesive, darkly humorous take on mortality that is both accessible and unsettling. The title track sets the tone, “Breathe In, Breathe Out” is a standout, and the closer seals the deal.
The middle section drags slightly, and there are moments where the record leans on repetition rather than variation. But those moments are brief, and they do not undercut the whole. This is a band at the height of its powers, making a record that rewards attention and delivers on its promises.
- Death Metal45:14
