Istanbul-based solo death metal project DREADROTT independently released its first official release, ‘Free Meat Grinder’, on August 29. Clocking in at 1:54, the track combines the aggression of 2000s brutal death metal with a modern production approach, while focusing less on violence itself than on how violence is turned into a media spectacle.

The song takes its cue from the transformation of a murder allegation on daytime television from news into entertainment. Rather than focusing on the drama experienced by those involved, DREADROTT examines how that drama is packaged and served to the audience. The gore imagery follows naturally from this approach; the meat grinder referenced in the title ‘Free Meat Grinder’ questions the real “product” behind the content being consumed.

Erhan B explains the song’s central idea: “This song is less about the murder allegation itself, with all its elements of horror, and more about how it is packaged and turned into a spectacle. Don’t believe in current politics; don’t stay outside of current politics either. As you look at the meat grinders on every screen, think again about who the machine is actually grinding.”

Musically, DREADROTT combines the low-end foundation of drop-E-tuned eight-string guitars with old-school tremolo riffs and tech death-influenced drumming. Instead of the heavily “scooped” guitar tone often associated with the genre, the production opts for a sound that retains more of the harmonic content in the lower frequencies and the attack of the pick. Layered double vocals are also used in certain sections.

To preserve as much of a live-performance feel as possible, excessive digital editing and performance correction were avoided, particularly on the drums. The track’s musical references fall somewhere between Dying Fetus’ direct aggression and the B-movie horror aesthetic of early Aborted.

The production of ‘Free Meat Grinder’ also reflects the project’s international makeup. Erhan B handled songwriting, arrangements, guitars, bass, and production at his home studio in Istanbul, while Robin Stone from Australia contributed drums and Carlos T from Venezuela handled vocals. Mixing and mastering were completed by Marvin T at Tides Studio in London.

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Formed under the DREADROTT name in 2025, the project grew out of Erhan B’s desire to record the riffs he had accumulated after a long hiatus. Its roots, however, reach back to an earlier period of the Turkish death metal scene. Erhan B previously played bass and contributed to riff writing in CADAVEROUS, known for their 2000 demo "Psychopathologist".

‘Free Meat Grinder’ marks the first official release in the DREADROTT catalogue, with contributions from session musicians based in different countries. The project’s next release is set to be a four-track EP, also planned for an independent release.

‘Free Meat Grinder’ is available on major digital platforms as well as Bandcamp. The track’s official lyric video has also been released on YouTube.


Bandcamp: https://dreadrott.bandcamp.com/track/free-meat-grinder