SICKNESS "Necrosymphonies of Necropsy"

SICKNESS "Necrosymphonies of Necropsy" (Grundar Productions)

One look, just one look at the cover and you might have guessed it right where SICKNESS adhered to inspirational-wise, haha. After so many years lurking in the underground, amassing countless of releases, I am quite positive that this is their first proper full length output ever. Thanks to the hardworking guys of Grundar Productions there has been a healthy run of releases of local acts in the grind/death territory, let's just hope that will continue as long as it takes. And while the cover might reminds you of a certain legendary act, the similarities stops there, I reckon. While there's still some reminisce they're all that miniscule. And with SICKNESS, expect nothing else than prescribed. formulaic good old grind death forte being served on your palatable plate. The only qualms I have with "Necrosymphonies..." is the seemingly weak productions for such a hard hitting musical direction. I don't know it if my ears are deceiving me as ages go by, but every time I am listening to this I always weighing in on the possibilities of a fuller, more pronounced production for it, and what it could do to the album instead. Any seasoned or conscious musicians in some of you might argue that it needs some kind of more 'layers' to the recording to make it sounds more menacing sort-of, but as a listener I know nothing but the quest for eargasm with anything I listen, and "Necrosymphonies..." falls short on that aspect. I even found their split with DAMOKIS to be more ferocious than this, that is certain. The average death grind freaks might have no issues on this, so just take it as it is. I have absolutely no question on the band's abilities, they've been doing it since some of you are still wearing diapers and suckling on momma's tits, I just think that a band with such a stature deserves a far better recording results.

www.grundar.com

ANGUISH "Abstract Decomposition"

ANGUISH "Abstract Decomposition" MCD (Foundead)

Soldiering on with perseverance intact, Malaysia's very own ANGUISH puts out another slab of brutal-concocted soundscapes with "Abstract Decomposition". This mini-album, totally financed and released by the band's own Foundead label, proves to be the most challenging and adventurous outing for them to date. "Abstract...", while still delving in the soaked brutality that the band has grown accustomed to, sees the band branching itself a bit further into the unexplored territory and tapping on the vast potentials of expanding their musical horizons. There is lots (I mean LOTS), of interesting ideas here and there scattered out through the whole program that you can surely delve deeper if you could stay a bit longer. You wouldn't call this a straight up brutal death Metal release, it is brutal death Metal that is not shying away from mingling with other outwards musical anecdotes that will either makes you dizzying or found wanting, depending on what your aural observation state is. The comfort which has been found within the brutal death Metal allegory has been molested here with copulation of twisting influences, an action that equals 'progression' for the band if you may say so. Don't be surprised, you will find varying degrees of emotions and atmospheres within. However, one massive obstacle that you are forced to endure is the lukewarm production in it. It is certainly not deserving for the material as they require a more adequate one for the trickery to get heard of effectively. There is certainly much to savour within but the production just hamper it down a bit. Which is a bit of a loss to be frank since there's so much to be dug out here. I wish the band a better production next time around, there are endless possibilities to their music, let it finally presented in the manner it really deserves. Nice presentation of the MCD in elastic 'Anguish' pouch.

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