We’re coming up on the final weeks of 2012, and it has been a fine year for music. Here are the top six picks for death metal records this year. Honestly I haven’t been able to listen to all the releases I wanted to before writing this, in particular the new Diocletian/Weregoat split, Maveth, Desolate Shrine, Indesinence, Encoffination, etc. so they’re left out. It was hard enough to settle with the records I have heard.
Regardless I think it’s a good list and I’m happy to be able to write it. These are the six behemoths of death that deserve the most praise in 2012.
Number Six: Incantation – Vanquish In Vengeance
The leaders in crawling purulence have returned with a new heap of gnarled death metal that does not disappoint. After six years Incantation bring another torrent of infernal blasphemy — Vanquish in Vengeance — down upon all who dare to listen.
Incantation’s brand of unholy death and doom unleashed through this record isn’t drastically different from their last, but it didn’t need to be altered. The quality and atmosphere remain, indeed have become stronger over time. It’s cavernous and repugnant in tone, monstrous chords, cloudy riffs and vocals hit that sweet spot and lock you in.
The swirling turmoil from the outset of this record with tracks like “Invoked Infinity” and “Transcend into Absolute Dissolution” will choke you, the grip tightening as the record progresses and the riffs get denser, more warped, the drumming heavier, hypnotizing you within this plodding death ritual. The title track, “Profound Loathing” and “From Hollow Sands” have some seriously addictive grooves, with the final track being a sinister, writhing eleven minute trek.
All that really needs to be said is if you like Incantation you don’t need to hesitate on this.
Number Five: Flourishing – Intersubjectivity
My review of this EP went up a few weeks back so I won’t spend as much time here, but Flourishing have to be mentioned in the year end list. This EP has really grabbed me. The Sum of All Fossils was impressive and strange but never stuck with me. Intersubjectivity however sticks with me, managing to combine the angular chaos of their first full length with some excellent atmosphere reminiscent of Ulcerate, creating a sick collection of haunting sounds throughout the three tracks here.
I love the bass presence on this release, giving the twisted death metal extra punch. It really is a noticeable change that adds a huge amount of depth as well as setting it apart from other records. The riffs breath a lot more, that chaotic quality still lingers in some moments but its more balanced. What I really love about this record is the progression it shows, the bands ability to grow and refine their writing. “A Living Sundial” shows this almost immediately.
Intersubjectivity is a dissonant beast with purpose and a spellbinding luster. A creaking disfigured tower of technical death metal. Flourishing have taken a huge step forward with this, and they were already a great deal ahead of other groups experimenting in the genre. Definitely impressed me and compelled me to return to it.
The Path Less Traveled Records
Number Four: Witchrist – The Grand Tormentor
With Beheaded Ouroboros the seeping, occult, darkness was overwhelming. It was caked with filthy blood-soaked soil and crept at the pace of mist escaping from a tomb. It really was frightening, oppressive and breathed new life into the old occult death metal style grabbed from Incantation. On The Grand Tormentor this occult emphasis has shifted somewhat with a more bestial sheen applied to the songs. I would not argue the quality has dropped, as this record is an addicting, twisted slab of dirty death metal, but some have complained that what was present on Beheaded Ouroboros is not as strong here in favor of making their sound more appealing.
While there is a discernible change to some degree in direction, The Grand Tormentor is still no slouch in terms of carving up some delicious pitch-black death metal. Witchrist have some seriously addicting rhythms within this new release, still slithering in filth and gritty, spiraling in bleak or war-like atmosphere. It starts slow but eventually works into a frenzy. Tracks like “Meditation for Sacrifice” and “Cast Into Fire” are so dirty, spellbinding as each rough barbed riff gouges you as they slide over. It’s a very murky record but strikes with hammer blows on each chord slab, each creaking tremolo riff, encompassed in a hoarse, rotten growl chanting about ancient godly violence.
There was a lot to live up to following their debut and it takes a lot to punch trough in those kind of situations. Not as engrossing as their debut but on it’s own it crushes most of the competition.
Number Three: Revenge – Scum.Collapse.Eradication
Warlike, blasphemous, unforgiving. Disorienting in its speed, brutality and precision, Revenge’s new record sandblasts through bone on every level. Another impressive effort unleashed from Nuclear War Now! Productions and another fierce assault from these Canadians. Scum.Collape.Eradication is without mercy, from the most dark guitar tone entwined with the thick bass, spewing heavy inhuman riffs, to the unrelenting insanity of the drums (holy shit) and the unearthly vocals — this may be Revenge’s most catastrophic material.
Through all the scrapes, crushing rhythms , shrieking solos, and scorching leads Revenge continue to show here they remain pure and dedicated, adding a noticeable degree of heaviness. The skill involved is still unmeasurable and used to once again create uncompromising, city-razing, volatile blacked death metal that is difficult to match in intensity. Nothing revolutionary has occurred since the last record, the apocalyptic barrage of Revenge has only strengthened and tempered. Scum.Collape.Eradication is an impressive blast of hateful war metal that can’t get much better.
Revenge are barbaric, straddling black and death metal perfectly in the most threatening tone. And now they release their most intimidating record yet which is more than deserving of a spot in this list. If you can endure it then brace yourself and turn it up.
Number Two: Ignivomous – Contragenesis
On Contragenesis Ignivomous seem to have easily blown past the impressive barriers that they erected for themselves with Death Transmutation, unleashing an album that is truly terrifying in its might and ferocity — putting even their elders on their heels, pausing to contemplate their next step.
Contragenesis sounds like a nuclear hurricane, bloody and dangerous, finely controlled and chaotic at the same time with a serious depth in terms of how much it has to offer in successive listens. Every song is tailored with a sharp sense of purpose, even if it may take you a few listens to digest the unhindered intensity overflowing within each of them. The atmosphere is hectic and breeds a sense of impending doom through violent tremolo picked batterings peppered with occasional slowdowns and ribcage shattering power chords, crushing percussion that leaves scorched earth in its wake, and truly monstrous vocals. The drumming, blasting snare and twanging cymbals, all of it is beefy.
It’s not just more of the same. Contragenesis not only ramps up the vitriolic onslaught but brings a discernible addition of brutality into their already aggressive style, which makes the tracks feel more beefy and further distances them from simple Incantation worship. It feels a notch faster and more insistent, with the same refined writing and presence.
This record is immense, a true death metal titan being strengthened in every step since their emergence, culminating in Contragenesis; a filthy shard of blistering death metal. I still find it incredible that they somehow improved on what they created in Death Transmutation. All fans should be all over this by now.
Number One: Antediluvian / Adversarial – Initiated In Impiety As Mysteries
What could beat out the great Australian death maniacs Ignivomous?
In all honesty I think it would be difficult to surpass a split with two of most aggressive, dark, catastrophic death metal bands Canada has produce in the last 10 years. The only way this could be achieved is if Mitochondrion was also on this split. Initiated In Impiety As Mysteries comes to us from Nuclear War Now! Productions and can be streamed on the labels bandcamp page.
Antediluvian and Adversarial are two of my favorite death metal acts in existence at this point, and for them to combine their blackened assault on one record is nothing short of a spectacular dream come true. It is truly a wicked, unwaveringly violent effort crammed wall to wall with dynamic, monstrous sounds. While the two bands move in different directions within the genre, both commit 100% on this record with nothing but the best of their capabilities to contribute three tracks each for this tremendous split.
On Adversarial’s side, the writing is distilled to the point where there isn’t one second of listening wasted — it’s a constant visceral onslaught of technical, filthy and focused riffs, intense caustic percussion, and hideous vocals. Carlos continues to impress with his guitar work, showing a never ending well of creativity and skill — crafting fast, dirty, interesting, and hypnotic riffs that range from raw simplicity, to dissonant writhing, to searing complexity without losing himself in wankery or cliches.
And it never becomes messy or unbalanced. If you need an example of this look no further than the opener “Swirling Chaos that Swallows Horizons”, which runs the gamut of the aforementioned styles, unearthing some truly awe worthy and catchy moments throughout. This ability to reign in his technical prowess is noteworthy, as with other bands this can become the soul focus and is a detriment to the music.
Antediluvian’s side: undulating, ancient, molten blackened terror is what they immerse you in throughout each track once again, building on their frightening full length. They’ve already proven they are on the cusp, the very outer reaches of modern chaotic death metal so you know what to expect. The track you need to experience here is “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (I Am That I Am)”, a writhing wall of ritualistic terror. The moments that strike me hardest are the slow ones, where sustained and ugly bends oppress you. The final minute or so has some unbelievable atmosphere and textures.
These two are transforming before our eyes and ears with each record they produce. A must for death metal fans. Uncompromising, spellbinding, mind-rending death on every single front. There is no need to question whether you should get this record — it is unequivocally a must.
Radu Baltag
January 4, 2013 at 5:20 am
How about Ectovoid, Skeletal Remains, Desecresy, Anatomia?
Marilena Moroni
December 20, 2012 at 6:00 am
A huge one is missing: Vassafor’s Obsidian Codex … m/
Ivo Oates
December 20, 2012 at 9:15 pm
Haven’t gotten around to that but from what I’ve heard its wicked.