Much like the other forgettable entries into the Six Feet Under lexicon (_True Carnage_ and _13_ being the two prime suspects), regression seems to be the operative noun here. Songs like "Death by Machete" and "None Will Escape" maintain their predecessor's level of simplicity, but when presented devoid of any hooks whatsoever feel like the work of a band-in-training rather than genre stalwarts. Meanwhile, Chris Barnes appears to have matched his rumoured distaste for touring with a healthy disinterest in the recording process. Sizable portions of the album's lyrics are only barely enunciated, Barnes sounding less like a pissed-off grizzly and more like an old man gargling a pint of Listerine.

Of course, it's practically a given that my assessment of _Death Rituals_ will be dismissed as the ranting of a "hater" by Six Feet Under's legion of fans. But, to close this review, I do have to pose the question: if these guys were vying for a record deal, would an effort like this pull them across the line? Honestly? I don't think so.