Inferna Kabbalah

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