Infernal Revulsion-Devastate Under Hallucination
(Goregiastic Records, 2007)

It has been a while since Ive heard a brutal death metal band from Japan but they definitely seem to have saved the best for last as this is some of the best I have ever heard from the country.

The album opens with an instrumental track full of chunky riffs and brooding melodic guitar lines. When the first non-instrumental track kicks in you are treated to pummeling and rhythmic death metal with some very guttural vocals. The band has a very US based approach to death metal and brings to mind the likes of early Dying Fetus and Fleshgrind.

If you are expecting constant blasting you will be disappointed. The band has a rhythmic approach which makes the blasting all the more effective when the band decides to kick things into overdrive. If you enjoy groovy death metal then you will definitely enjoy this album. The riffing is powerful and the band manages to keep things interesting even if some of the riffs have a similar feel and tempo.

I think a bit of diversity might have helped the vocals be a bit less monotonous. I like the sound of the vocals but the attack is pretty much identical from song to song. Throwing in some high pitched screaming would have helped keep things a bit more interesting. The guttural vocals do fit the style perfectly, but become a bit stale after awhile.

If you enjoy chunky and rhythmic death metal then this is definitely a band that you will want to check out. Fans of Dying Fetus, Fleshgrind, and Suffocation particularly should be able to get into this quite easily.

Damnation AD-In This Life or In the Next
(Victory Records, 2007)

Damnation AD would probably be one of the last bands that I would have expected to get back together and release a new album. Low and behold though, here is the album and damn is it ever a bruiser.

The rhythmic style of metallic hardcore the band is known for is in fine form with this album. The songs are filled with energetic and chunky riffs that show that all breakdowns need not be boring. The album also shows that Damnation AD has a sound that is truly unique. From the almost rock styled riffs or the chunky dissonance the some riffs utilize the album is like a breath of fresh air right now. If you think that heavy hardcore has become stale and predictable, one listen to this album will prove you wrong.

The production is slightly raw and really sounds much different then what you would expect from bands right now. Productions have become sterile and crystal clear. This album has a lot of dirt under its finger nails and the music hasnt been stripped of its power. This is raw and ugly music and that is just how it sounds.

If you are a long time fan of Damnation AD you will definitely be happy to know that the band hasnt lost any of their power. This is as heavy as anything the band has done in the past so fans of previous albums will definitely not be disappointed. If you are new to Damnation AD, this album is the perfect introduction.