Death metal went off in several different directions in the early-1990s. Some followed Cannibal Corpse down the road of brutality. Some went in a more melodic direction. Then there were those who pursued atmosphere. Since the genre is called death metal, why not make the listener feel like they're staring death itself in the face? It all began when Morbid Angel released Altars of Madness in 1989. This was followed two years later by Immolation's Dawn of Possession. Incantation released Onward to Golgotha one year after that. This then led to Rottrevore. They formed in 1989 in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. One year later, they released a demo called The Epitome of Pantalgia. It was very rough and unpolished, but it was still an enjoyable listen. Their next two EPs - 1991's Copulation of the Virtuous and Vicious and 1992's Fornication in Delirium - improved and expanded upon the foundation their first demo had established. By the time they released Iniquitous in 1993, they perfected their formula.
The production has a filthy, gritty quality which makes the music sound like it was recorded in some fetid sewer inhabited by hideous creatures. This style of production would later be copied by countless death metal bands. The drums are played by a mysterious man named Jason Graham. He was with the band for just one year and only played on this album. He never did anything before or after this. He does a pretty good job. He plays nice blast beats on occasion, but for the most part he churns out a supply of mid-paced rhythms that sometimes become more upbeat. Though the production is gritty, the snare is still clear and hits hard. There are also moments when he plays slow doom-like beats, and he also makes sure to throw in a plethora of fantastic fills.
The bass is played by Chris Free. Rottrevore was his last band. He never did anything else after they broke up. He makes his presence known from the very first second. Not only does he play many great riffs, such as those on "Dismal Fate" and "Actions for Loss", but his performance is very high in the mix, thus giving the music a filthiness that would be copied by many other bands years later. Chris Weber does the vocals. He performs a deep, guttural growl that sounds similar to Craig Pillard of Incantation. These are some of the best, most gruesome growls I've ever heard. He sounds like a creature of utter filth and rot.
The guitars are played by Chris Weber and Mark Mastro. This album is dominated by two different types of riffs. The first are palm-muted riffs that sound like the churning of rancid digestive juices. The second are simple chord progressions that are distantly related to hardcore. These riffs are constructed well, played well, and they flow nicely from one to the other. Death's influence can still be felt on songs like "Dismal Fate", and there are even sections which remind me of Carcass. They also take the time to play solos, which demonstrate their Rick Rozz influence with rapid, high-pitched screeching assaults.
Iniquitous is one of the best death metal albums ever recorded, so it's unfortunate that it doesn't get the same amount of recognition as the works of Incantation or Immolation. The music is excellent and the grotesque atmosphere it creates is fantastic. Rottrevore broke up shortly after this album's release. They have since gotten back together, but the last time they released anything new was ten years ago, so it's unlikely we'll get a second full-length album in the near future, if at all.