Descent Into Speed

Whenever there are multiple “big names” releasing albums on the same day, the anticipation, and hype levels of all metal communities spike. April started with an arguably slow release day, mainly due to the fact that it fell on Easter. I even completely skipped that and haven’t heard anything from that day. Yet. Last Friday was bound to be different. Several big names in metal, whether recent or long-running, released their new material.

To nobody’s surprise, Immolation are retaining the crown of the “most consistent death metal band ever”. Their newest album Descent is so Immolation coded, you cannot confuse the sound with any other band on this world. And it is still one of the best death metal sounds you can get. The wall of sound, which cannot be emulated, is still as captivating as it was in the 90s. Guitar work was always an intricate affair on all Immolation albums, and this one is one of their best. Every time a big name like this releases a new album, I approach with slight caution. Especially if it is being released on a big label. But Immolation have a history of not disappointing and, what is even more important, not selling out. And so, the intricate guitar work does not concern itself with modern trends in death metal, the riffs and song structures do not try to appease the masses. All you get is blast beats with dark rhythmic patterns and one of the best death growls in the business. Descent is probably an all time Immolation TOP 5 release. Rating: 3/5

And so my day was already great. Yet, I had some other big releases to go through and to spoil everything - it wasn’t as fun as Immolation.

Archspire made a name for themselves with blazingly fast version of tech death. Well, the fast part is mainly in the mouth of their vocalist, who is literally rapgrowling through the albums. Which is fine. But the niche they carved for themselves is a very narrow one. And it got old now. There is nothing new on the new album. Too Fast to Die is a rather dull affair with an edgy name that would resonate a lot with angsty teens who just discovered extreme metal. The sound is too crushed, too washed and too flat all at once. There is nothing that would bring back the danger in music like they promised towards the end of their previous album. The songs are easily predictable, they follow a strict template it seems, all while being over the top on everything. I wish I could like the new album, but I couldn’t even finish it. Gone are the days of amazing, mind-boggling fast techdeath. Too Fast to Die gets no rating.

Inferi where the other “big”, anticipated act to release a new album on the same day. And boy, is that another big pile of modern sound glued together with sheer will. I admit, I was never a fan of the band. But still, I at least acknowledged that they were potent musicians. Heaven Wept should be studied by physicists, because it has the power to bend time. It is not even 40 minutes long, but feels like eternity. There is a lot of happening, but you get nothing out of it. As I mentioned already, the musicianship is there, but the songwriting is missing. I tried to endure this, but my time and patience are limited, and I simply couldn’t. Four tracks in, I thought the album was going on for more than hour. It didn’t. It leads literally nowhere. Inferi’s Heaven Wept gets no rating.

To save me from typing too much¹ I will just admit that the rest of the new stuff I heard was not worth of any rating as well. One notable exception, and the second best album I heard on that day was In Death Throes by swedeath veterans Vomitory. It didn’t break any new grounds (unexpected I know), but it was an honest, solid death metal album with catchy riffage, tasteful solos and great overall performance. Basically a good album. So they get a 1/5. The rest gets nothing, because it was quite boring. Some examples: Warsenal - Endless Beginnings… was a sterile thrash/speed album. Skaphos - The Descent was an entirely low-energy black/death record, with unpleasant production. Paisaunt - Life and Other Horrors started actually quite good, but then got lost in itself and lost me midway. It should probably get a lot of mileage from fans who appreciate slightly punky atmospheric black metal.

I am content with the feeling that Immolation might have released one of the best albums of this year. This year shapes up to be a brilliant year for death metal again. For now, Descent is on the top and will stay there for some time.