Showing posts with label Inhuman Assault Productions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inhuman Assault Productions. Show all posts

8 Sept 2024

Album review: Ancient Malignity - Dehumanization Dawn (2024)

 

Ancient Malignity - Dehumanization Dawn
 
USA
 
Inhuman Assault Productions (CD/Cassette/LP)

Reno-based militia Ancient Malignity is one of those exemplary bands that meet every little criteria in order to be labelled “war metal,” mastering the style down to the last detail. The group also features members of black/death acts like Ritual Genocide, Triumph and Blasphemous Creation, all of whom are respectable in their own right. “Dehumanization Dawn” is the trio’s second album since 2020’s self-titled and was released via Thailand's Inhuman Assault Productions.

When you listen to this band and look at their imagery, it’s not too hard to spot the Revenge influence, although I give the band credit for not being a complete carbon-copy and for crafting a style that sets them apart from the legion of Revenge-inspired bands. Aside from the all-too-obvious reference mentioned above, there are also trace elements of bands like Goatpenis and Abhorer, including a good dose of death metal influence running in their veins. This is a winning formula for the band, coupled with a raw production that only adds to the hellish feel of the music. The music is mainly mid-paced, although they do slow it down from time to time, with some gritty grind tempos in between.

Despite the relatively straight-forward nature of the music, the band's themes are decidedly thought-provoking and profound. A good example of this is the track “Indoctrination Terror Offense,” which is about the media terrorizing the populace with propaganda in order to indoctrinate them; and the aptly titled “Pedoswine Obsolescence” is self-explanatory of their stance regarding dicier transgressions.

The military-style drumming is on point and offers a variety of inventive fills and tempo changes, while the morbid vocals are venomously spewed over a series of slashing guitars and repulsive bass riffs. Despite all the instruments being comprehensible, there's a certain rawness to their sound that is all-too-fitting for this style, and honestly, I do not think an overly polished production would have had the same effect and taken away many of its qualities. This album succeeds in conveying an atmosphere of hate and blasphemy, and the more I listen to it, the more I like it, including the fact that the length of this release feels complete and satisfying at 36 minutes.

I recommend all maniacs who are into underground and blasphemous, bestial black/death to check this band out, as it has everything that you could possibly look for in this style. Stand-out tracks: “Indoctrination Terror Offense”, “Abomination Experiment, “Algorithmic Brainwash Entity” (Jim)

3 Nov 2021

Split review: Thornspawn / Maledictvs – Guided by Vengeance & Bloodlust (2021)

Thornspawn / Maledictvs – Guided by Vengeance & Bloodlust

USA / Mexico

Inhuman Assault Productions

The split in question is the first release to feature new Thornspawn material since their last split with Singapore's Istidraj in 2013. The two new Thornspawn tracks 'Under The Illustrious Eminence of Satan's Doctrine' and 'Clairvoyance with the Dead' are both killer slabs of raw and vicious black metal, boasting a powerful production while maintaining that malicious and bestial edge they are known for. Blackthorn's vocals are visceral as ever with a fair amount of distortion, giving the music a menacing effect paired with the vicious buzzsaw guitars and thumping drums. The atmosphere is evil enough to draw me in, and has that apocalyptic ambience that is typical of their sound, although one thing missing from these tracks are guitar solos. They have always had them in the past; nevertheless, I am quite impressed with the new songs and hope to hear more of the same on their next recording. (Although it’s like I said, they need to throw some solos in the mix to give the music that extra oomph.) Interestingly, Blackthorn is the only remaining member from the original line-up and that really says a lot about his dedication to black metal, as the band has been around since 1993.


Maledictvs from Juarez, Mexico, is the manifestation of Hella, the mistress of Blackthorn, which consequently features Blackthorn on drums. The Malevicvs portion of the split is quite well crafted, with an an array of chaotic riffs and hellish, high-pitched vocals that sound like they come from the depths of Hella's black soul. This music is above the standard pedestal and exudes pure devotion to the dark arts, as this is raw, underproduced black metal at its finest. All in all, a solid split all around and recommended for aficionados of blasphemous underground black metal. (HT)


1 Jan 2021

EP REVIEW: Nocturnal Damnation - Nuclear Massacre of Goatkommando (2020)

 


Nocturnal Damnation - Nuclear Massacre of Goatkommando (2020)

South Korea / Thailand 

Inhuman Assault Productions (Tape) / Deathrash Armageddon (CD) 


If it's blasphemous, militant, and brutal War Metal you seek, then you need to check out Nocturnal Damnation's latest EP, “Nuclear Massacre of Goatkommando,” as soon as possible. The EP is inaugurated with an intro featuring samples of war that sets the tone before all hell breaks loose. The songs vary in pace from mid to fast, but occasionally breaks down to more mid-paced territory to add heavier dynamics. The music is supported by a beefy production and underlined by a strong rhythm section laced with occasional leads. The guitars plot along nicely with everything else while the drums are always battering you into oblivion and offering various tempos. The barbarous growls are perfectly layered over the array of sonic violence and gives the whole thing a verily menacing atmosphere. Nocturnal Damnation stands out in the sense that they put emphasis on structure and making the songs sound cohesive as a whole. The lyrics are your typical lines about war and armageddon, so if you're looking for something poetic, then look elsewhere. All in all, definitely check them out if you're a fan of bands like Wargoat, Witchrist, Zygoatsis, etc. This EP will pulverize you from start to finish. (HT)