UMUR "Pathology of Murder" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US death metal act Catastrophic. The album was released through Napalm Records in January 2008. It´s the successor to "The Cleansing" from 2001, although the two full-length albums are bridged by the 2005 "Born into Bondage" EP. Catastrophic was formed in 1999 by Obituary guitarist Trevor Peres and most of the Pyrexia lineup who recorded the "Age of the Wicked (1997)" album. Bassist Chris Basile already left Catastrophic after the recording of the debut album to reform Pyrexia and he was replaced by Joe Cincotta for the recording of "Born into Bondage (2005)". There´s been one more lineup change since the release of the EP as Peres has left to concentrate on Obituary. "Pathology of Murder" was therefore recorded as a quartet with Cincotta handling both bass and second guitar.

Stylistically the material on "Pathology of Murder" is still hardcore infused death metal but it´s a matter of course that when a capacity like Peres leaves and takes his distinct sounding guitar tone and playing/writing style with him, that things will change and indeed they have changed. The heavy grooves and Keith DeVito´s commanding aggressive growling vocal style still occasionally make me think of Obituary, but on this release, it´s more an influence than an integral part of the music. It´s brutal, it´s heavy, and it´s groove laden death metal delivered with caustic aggression.

My ears don´t completely agree with all the production choices made, but overall "Pathology of Murder" is a well sounding album and the sound production suits the material well. Said material is well written and effective too and upon conclusion "Pathology of Murder" is a good quality release. It´s up for discussion if Catastrophic have lost some of their unique sound with the loss of Peres, or if they are in fact more unique sounding now because Peres presence and distinct sounding guitar tone inevitably led the listener´s thoughts toward Obituary on the first couple of Catastrophic releases. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.