Near Death Condition
The Disembodied – In Spiritual Spheres ()
Wydane przez Unique Leader RecordsRok wydania Kraj SwitzerlandNapisał Wouter7
Near Death Condition is a surprising signing for Los Osos, California label Unique Leader Records. “The Disembodied – In Spiritual Spheres” is an album in tradition of Hate Eternal (“Conquering the Throne”), Immolation (“Here In After”), Lost Soul (“Chaostream”), Morbid Angel (“Covenant”, “Formulas Fatal To the Flesh”) and early Vader (“Black To the Blind”, “De Profundis”). Like their inspirations these cuts twist and turn venomously, slowing down to increase the atmosphere and let the groove take over every once in a while. The tempo is high but the interesting song structures allow the listener to catch a breath thanks to seamlessly integrated chug –, lead/solo - and groove sections along with more stereotypical blasting. The vocals are a mix of low grunts and piercing shrieks. The musicianship is outstanding, which the drum salvos and guitar leads/solos serve to prove, and the song structures are massive and dynamic. The carefully structured riffs, thundering bass guitar and cavernous growls make this sound very traditional. The crunchy guitar tone channels (early) Immolation and Morbid Angel in equal measure, while the pumping drumming reminds of Lost Soul. This record fuses traditional death metal aestethics with its more modern counterpart while retaining heaviness and dynamics through out. On the level of production this mammoth of an album is solid with the bass guitar featuring prominently and a natural sounding kickdrum. The artwork is the painting “homme-dieu” by Belgian symbolist painter, writer and occultist Jean Delville, whose most recognizable canvas “Satan’s Treasures” was used by US death metal icons Morbid Angel on their 1991 genre-defining “Blessed Are the Sick” record. Near Death Condition is worth the hype they are currently surrounded by. Unique Leader has unearthed a gem with this band.
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