Review: “Exhumed Information” by Fulci

The seven year reign of terror of Italian Death Metallers Fulci continues with their third full length record “Exhumed Information“, recorded at Till Deaf Recording Studios by Ando Ferraiuolo before being mastered by to Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Cavalera Conspiracy, Tomb Mold) and bejewelled by cover artwork designed by SoloMacello (Sadist, Elvenking, Black Rainbows). For those unfamiliar, the band is named after cult Italian film director Lucio Fulci with this being a concept release based on 1991’s “Voices from Beyond”, a low budget movie that has a dark draw, as the band continue to take inspiration sonically from early Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Bolt Thrower as they look to create the ultimate horror movie score…

…Playing the cameo role of the pathologist in the film, Lucio Fulci is heard on the introduction piece “Autopsy” as he carry’s out the dissection of the corpse of Giorgio Mainardi, the protagonist whose life and death the film revolves around. That would be eerie enough on its own but it has been enhanced by the synth parts which were written and performed specifically by electro-soundtrack project TV-Crimes and makes it a particular creepy piece before the album kicks into life with a raw Death Metal sound of “Voices” accompanied by Fiore’s brutal gargling uncleans. A mid-tempo chugger it slaps hard with crushing bass lines, punchy and powerful riffs and bruising drumming intertwined into the horror of the tale with a creepy atmosphere and energetic dynamic. Fortunately the synths are used sparingly during the first half of the album in order to build atmosphere but that also comes hand in hand with a sparse use of solos. When they do appear, they’re technically executed and inject a pulse that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck; however the band seem to prefer the chugging attack, coming across like a butcher punching a carcass to tenderise it. “Evil” has the best lead part with a whammy bar tear off that is absolutely electric as it cuts through the otherwise dense rhythms, although it somehow lacks some of the presence of 2019 predecessor “Tropical Sun“. Elsewhere the relentless pounding percussive battery of “Tomb” enhances an absolute beast of cut that pile drives you into submission, what it lacks in bite it makes up for in blunt force. However that is where it ends as the album is one of two halves and the remaining four cuts are instrumentals in collaboration with TV-Crimes which are a classic late 70’s early 80’s Horror film score reminiscent of those heard on films by the likes of John Carpenter, Fabio Frizzi or Claudio Simonetti with a gripping sense of nostalgia. They provide a sense of danger and fear that is both brooding and unsettling while also having their own melodies within and “Fantasma” is undoubtedly the best of these, a bold sort of Progressive Metal leaning cut. Overall the two halves sit surprisingly well together although the macabre second half might have less appeal to those who don’t indulge in some of the depravity of horror culture; what it’s lacking despite all of its sinister urges is some of the venom to put a real sting in the tail [6.5/10]

Track listing

1. Autopsy
2. Voices
3. Nightmare
4. Evil
5. Funeral
6. Tomb
7. Glass
8. Child
9. Fantasma
10. Cemetery

“Exhumed Information” by Fulci is out 23rd July 2021 via Time To Kill Records and is available over at bandcamp