Kiss the Freak

Released in 2017, Kiss the Freak represents a stylistic pivot for the French technical death metal stalwarts Gorod. Moving away from the more expansive, progressive structures of A Maze of Recycled Creeds, this EP focuses on a leaner, thrash-oriented approach. The recording is characterized by its 'dry' and 'punchy' production, emphasizing the interplay between the dual guitars and the highly active fretless bass work. Lyrically and conceptually, the EP adopts a more satirical and lighthearted tone than their previous full-lengths, as evidenced by tracks like 'Being a Jerk.' Despite its short runtime, the EP is dense with musical ideas, blending the high-speed aggression of '80s Bay Area thrash with the sophisticated harmonic language of jazz fusion. It remains a fan favorite for its high energy and serves as a bridge between their more traditional death metal roots and their increasingly experimental later work.