Columbus‑based musician Nani Porter, the driving force behind the death‑metal project Cordyceps Corpse, has just dropped her second full‑length album, Perverse Craving for Rotting Corpses. The release marks a notable evolution for a band that already made waves in the niche “slam” subgenre of brutal death‑metal.
From bedroom recordings to a full‑blown LP
Porter launched Cordyceps Corpse in 2023 after a roommate urged her to share the heavy tracks she was recording in her spare time. Though she began her musical career producing drum‑and‑bass and lo‑fi hip‑hop beats, Porter has been playing guitar since third grade and always dreamed of creating metal music. Within two years she put out seven singles and EPs, culminating in the 2025 debut LP From Flesh to Fluids, which quickly earned a re‑issue from Gore House Productions.
New album pushes the envelope
The sophomore effort retains the genre’s signature inhuman vocals, low‑tuned guitars, and “pingy” snare drums, but Porter adds fresh elements that set the record apart. She says the album reflects her growth as a drummer, noting more intricate fills, varied kick‑drum samples, and a willingness to experiment with rhythm.
Tracks such as “Ishmael’s Demise” feature a surprisingly melodic riff, while “Thoracic Bifurcation” embraces frequent time‑signature changes that Porter describes as “kind of stupid” in a self‑deprecating nod to the song’s complexity. The closing track “Fermented Remains” even borrows structural ideas from house music, with a build‑up and drop that Porter adapted to a metal context.
Influences beyond the gutter
Porter admits she often pulls ideas from unexpected sources. “Sometimes I’ll hear something from a genre that’s not brutal death, like I’m listening to Earth, Wind & Fire, and I’m like, ‘I like how they did that break. What if I just added a bass break into this?’” she explains. The result is a blend of slam intensity with occasional funk‑style breaks and electronic textures, offering a fresh listening experience for fans of the extreme subgenre.
Identity and community
As a trans woman in a scene that can be hostile toward gender minorities, Porter’s presence is itself a statement. She notes that many women, non‑binary, and queer listeners are already part of the community, and she aims to prove that “we’re tough, too, and we can be in here and talk about it.” Her lyrics, while staying true to the genre’s graphic themes, often flip traditional gendered violence tropes, focusing on male subjects instead.
Local impact
Porter’s work adds a distinctive voice to Columbus’s growing underground music landscape. By marrying the raw aggression of slam death‑metal with broader musical ideas, she demonstrates how local artists can push genre boundaries while staying rooted in the city’s vibrant DIY culture.
Fans can stream the new album on major platforms and catch Cordyceps Corpse at upcoming shows around Ohio. With “Perverse Craving for Rotting Corpses,” Porter proves that even the most brutal music can evolve, reflecting both personal growth and the eclectic influences that shape today’s independent artists.
Original reporting: Matter News (Columbus) — read the source article.
