Inferna Kabbalah

The Greek death metallers Ectoplasma have been around for about a decade now, coming in clutch at the top of 2022 with their fourth full-length. The last record White-Eyed Trance was what sold me on the band, and the latest Inferna Kabbalah delivers on a solid front, too. Following a similar format of lengthier songs, this packs in a lot of different tactics into a manageable package.

Naturally, the deeper you go into a band’s career, they tend to tighten up (usually). No exceptions here, as the vocal snarls now come through harder than ever, as well as the riff work having a refined sound. There’s still a bit of an echo factor here, exaggerated by the drums. At times, I do think it comes off a bit strong, especially with some of the growls seeming kind of rough, but nothing takes away from the steady musicianship itself.

Most importantly, Inferna Kabbalah doesn’t strip away any of the rotting elements from the band’s foundation. This is focused on choppy rhythms under filth and fury, displayed wonderfully in "Gruesome Sacred Orgasms". That bassy intro adds so much flavor before breaking into a solid groove. The title track certainly delivers on this front as well, and there’s no shortage of suspense and intensity. Opener "God Is Dead, Satan Lives" brings this on early, letting out layers of occult and horror themed goodness.

While Ectoplasma’s latest outing was somewhat a grower and took some time for me to appreciate, I do find this to be a solid follow-up to what got me into them. Keeping things brief certainly helped things out. The deeper you get into the record, the more apparent the hooks become.

Originally written for Metalegion Magazine

Horror samples start us off with appropriately gruesome riffing and snarled vocals coming into life atop a wave of crushing drum work. The instant monolith of death metal feeling like a classic performance of total ferocity from the 90s as a driving force of surging aggression delivers an immediate brutality. Animalistic roars and feral instrumentals give us a truly astonishing level of intensity while intricate bass lines and tight drums rhythmically charge some mighty riffs for the vocals to spew vitriol alongside, this is a perfect example of a band who work excellently as a unit of musicians whom do not try and overshadow each other but are comfortable in their fields and most of all, together. The sheer heaviness and morbid atmosphere that opens this album should convince any death metal maniac that these guys are worth listening to. Let’s hope the quality does not wane.

Vigorously forging forth, the battery and butchery does not relent. Though dynamic slower and mid-tempo moments give respite for the atmosphere to grow, the more venomous vitriol is never far from a punishing display of extremity. The balance between primitive and having technical ability is nailed, showcasing the brilliant skills of the band without showing off in some obnoxious way that ruins the gloriously cultivated barbarity of their old school death metal. This is true to the roots in every way, from theme, to art, to production and most of all songwriting, all of which give the impression this could be a lost gem of the 90s. There are just the right amount of doomy moments or those Bolt Thrower style crawling mids to inject a desolate atmosphere into the otherwise devastating charge of savagery. Ectoplasma are regressive without sacrificing quality, where they can be comfortable not being the most original band in the world but delivering truly excellent music with passion and integrity. This is, in my opinion, far more enjoyable as a band progressing for the sake of progressing.

Once more, we have a brilliant cut of true old school death metal from this Greek horde who haven’t faltered in their busy discography. For blistering carnage in the classic vein of death metal’s pioneers, performed with passion and fury, look no further.

Written for www.nattskog.wordpress.com