Defixio

K. Desecrator and F. Goathroat conceived Venefixion in 2013 while in separate countries, but in 2015 the duo were finally able to get together to finally give their idea a voice. Bringing W. Cadaver on board for lead guitars, the project recorded their debut demo, Defixio, which will see the light of day through a cassette release from Iron Bonehead Productions. The label’s promotional material namedrops the likes of Autopsy, Morbid Angel and Repugnant, but really that style only gives a hint of what Venefixion is bringing to the table.

Defixio is one of those recordings that is seemingly stuck between worlds: in this case, it lies between an amalgamation of twisted and malformed old school death metal and high energy, first wave black metal. Despite the primal and bestial style at play, the tracks seem anything but rehashed nostalgia, capturing an energy and attention to detail that often gives way to style of substance. Thundering aggression collides headfirst steamrolling riffing while F. Goathroat’s deep, throaty growls paint a devastating narrative of death and evil. Switching gears from fast paced, raging trem riffing into pummeling, heavy handed assaults at the drop of a dime, Venefixion weaves through the gauntlet at high speed, never wavering.

Really, the demo calls back to time when death and black and thrash were all just metal. Perhaps that’s what makes Defixio so entrancing, Venefixion’s seamless weaving of thrash rhythms into primordial death metal, like on “Aghori's Ashes of the Dead” or the speed metal tinged passages that collide headfirst with monstrous, angular riffing on “La Secte Rouge”. The transitions between tempos are smooth, never sounding forced or desperate, showing the instrumental prowess of K. Desecrator, who performs all instruments except lead guitars. Speaking of leads, W. Cadaver brings some tasteful solos and lead licks throughout, sounding just as morbidly obsessed with the past as the music.

Despite the band’s decidedly old school approach to death metal, one can’t help but be impressed by just how focused these four tracks sound. Defixio sounds primordial and crushing while still coming across as a new force to be reckoned with. Oftentimes bands will just rehash past glories and ape those that came before, but Venefixion’s demo shows they have the foundation to be the real deal. This is pure, unadulterated death metal, the way it was meant to be played.

Written for The Metal Observer.