Review by criscool623 on January 3, 2022.

Every once in a while I like to listen to some good death metal. Despite not being my favourite genre, I absolutely have my favourite albums, and that curiosity for listening to some good death metal brought me to this release. I'm very glad for having had the opportunity to listen to it as it had already been kind of a long time since the last time I didn't listen to something with this sound and style and let me explain myself.

Here, in Mexico, when we say a band is very "pig", we mean that a band has a pretty thick, heavy and kind of dirty sound, kind of what is listened to in goregrind and grindcore bands (like the first two Carcass releases), and this is the word that comes to my mind when I listen to this album. Its putrid, marshy and filthy sound and style is actually pretty catchy, kind of addictive and can be a delight for those who seek a dirty sound like this. The album has no mayor pretentious but to sound like this and sound as dirty as possible; in that sense, is an honest release that knows what it is, and it is a pleasure to be able to listen to something with that honesty.

Of course, the album is pretty basic and, for that, it doesn't stand out very much. The low-tuned tremolo-picking-based riffs, repetitive (but catchy) rhythms and the monotony of the songs are made for the kind of public that listen to and enjoy that, rather than for those who seek a complex and elaborated musical proposal. Yes, it is fun to listen to, but no more than that. You can even put it as background music while being with friends, or even when you are doing your household chores, but don't seek a great proposal or something that you can enjoy with patience, seeking a very profound work of art.

I have no more to say and I don't want to sound repetitive. Listen to it if you just want some good, "pig" death metal, but just that. Don't expect a marvellous oeuvre, cause you'll end up frustrated, disappointed and I'm going to pick on you for expecting such a thing like that from an album with such a bizarre (and ridiculous) cover art like that of this album.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Faithless on January 3, 2022.

“This album is dedicated to the spirit of REAL death metal and horror the way it was always meant to be”

Revolting is a Swedish death metal band and one of the many projects from the prolific musician Rogga Johansson. No kidding, just go to Rogga’s profile in the metal archives and you will find out what I mean. Dreadful Pleasures is the day view full length released back in 2009 and I have to say that this album surprised me big time.

Being one of the countless Rogga’s projects, my expectations were not very high at the beginning but to my surprise; this record kicks serious ass. The music is a homage to all things death metal and every track is loaded with nods to different variants of the subgenre. For instance, you can find traditional Swedish death metal in the vein of Dismember and Entombed with the buzzsaw guitar tone ('Tenafly Viper', 'Overtaken By The Crawling', 'Terror Has No Shape', and 'Moonshine Mutation'). You can also find songs that lean towards a groovier side of death metal ('They’re Not Human') and some other tracks that incorporate slow tempo chugs and quasi-death-doom passages ('Dreadful Pleasures'). Thus, it can be said that Revolting’s debut blends a variety of death metal styles in a brutal, honest, and fun way.

The execution is simple, effective, and at the same time, the energy transmitted by the band makes you bang your head constantly. Regardless of the predictable song structure, the album is so dynamic that at the end it just flies and when you realize it’s the last song. So, this record permits multiple spins without getting tired or bored. The music is honest with no bullshit or compromises. I believe that’s the reason why Revolting has released solid albums consistently since their day-view.

All in all, I had a blast listening to Dreadful Pleasures; pure death metal fun with no compromise. This is not just another Rogga side-project in the Rogga verse, I think it is one of the more if not the most consistent (apart from Paganizer) Johansson project. The music is fast, aggressive, and checks all the boxes for a good quality death metal band.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10