Condemned - Realms Of The Ungodly
San Diego's Condemned new album "Realms Of The Ungodly" opens with a dark brooding almost ominous intro entitled "Eirgmos...Aidios". It prepares us for the salvo thats about to brutalize our ears. "Ere the Dark Sovereign" bursts from my speakers with immense power and technicality. Now those of you familiar with Condemned will know that they share certain similarities to that of Disgorge (Ca) both writing styles and sound. One would be forgiven if you thought one was the other and vice versa. With this in mind, you the reader will know what I'm talking about when I say "These guys are fucking technical"! The drumming here is so goddamn good. It's absolutely pulverizing. I have to admire Forrest Stedt's attention to detail in his drumming for he has little cymbal tricks in between every single riff. It sounds so cool. I also like the fact that the drums sound very natural and not rip the piss triggered ala Pete Sandoval. All this makes for some serious battery throughout this record.
The guitars are super thick and heavy which I think are almost over bearing in the mix because it leaves no room for the bass which cannot be heard at all, which is a crying shame because it's up to allsorts of coolness but sadly cannot be heard. That saying the guitars are laying down some seriously technical riffs at breakneck speeds and of course those heavy as a mammoth breakdowns which I guarantee gets the pits going to no end.
There are a few guests on the album who add to the chaos on the tracks "Baptismal Incineration Upon Simonists" and "Embodied In Elms Of Eternal Misery", namely Obie Flett of Inherit Disease and Matti Way of Disgorge/Pathology/Cineray and a whole lot more fame. I have to admit this was a cool touch as it added to the feel of the album.
Vocally, the album is pure Guttural. Just the way I like it. The vocals don't seem to follow any pattern to the music and make me think back to the way old school Chris Barnes used to sing. The vocals are almost in between riffs but I think this is cool as it really adds to the chaos of the album. Lyrically, Condemned write about gore/murder but also have delved into apocalyptic/revelations type stuff. I like the inbetween samples which sound very ethereal and add to this. It's worth mentioning that the Jon Zig artwork is superb. One of my favourite in fact. Theres so much detail and much to look at. I think it truly represents the overal feel of the record which is dark beyond belief. Apocalyptic one might say. One gripe I will say, is that some of the songs do blur into one and separating them can be hard and sometimes pass you by.
This album is not for everyone. Its an assult on the senses which I do love but some may not like the all out blastorama vibe of the album. I guess you could say the album perhaps lacks dynamics but then this is not these guys are about. This reviewer truly enjoyed this album much more than their last album "Desecrate The Vile" which was cool but this one slays it. This is some of the best US brutal death metal I have heard in a long time and truth be told has revitalised my interest in it. That saying it does have a few "samey" moments but by god it has some seriously fantastic playing exectued with some finesse. Not for everyone but brutal death metal fans, this is a must have. See if you can headbang as fast as these guys can blast!
The guitars are super thick and heavy which I think are almost over bearing in the mix because it leaves no room for the bass which cannot be heard at all, which is a crying shame because it's up to allsorts of coolness but sadly cannot be heard. That saying the guitars are laying down some seriously technical riffs at breakneck speeds and of course those heavy as a mammoth breakdowns which I guarantee gets the pits going to no end.
There are a few guests on the album who add to the chaos on the tracks "Baptismal Incineration Upon Simonists" and "Embodied In Elms Of Eternal Misery", namely Obie Flett of Inherit Disease and Matti Way of Disgorge/Pathology/Cineray and a whole lot more fame. I have to admit this was a cool touch as it added to the feel of the album.
Vocally, the album is pure Guttural. Just the way I like it. The vocals don't seem to follow any pattern to the music and make me think back to the way old school Chris Barnes used to sing. The vocals are almost in between riffs but I think this is cool as it really adds to the chaos of the album. Lyrically, Condemned write about gore/murder but also have delved into apocalyptic/revelations type stuff. I like the inbetween samples which sound very ethereal and add to this. It's worth mentioning that the Jon Zig artwork is superb. One of my favourite in fact. Theres so much detail and much to look at. I think it truly represents the overal feel of the record which is dark beyond belief. Apocalyptic one might say. One gripe I will say, is that some of the songs do blur into one and separating them can be hard and sometimes pass you by.
This album is not for everyone. Its an assult on the senses which I do love but some may not like the all out blastorama vibe of the album. I guess you could say the album perhaps lacks dynamics but then this is not these guys are about. This reviewer truly enjoyed this album much more than their last album "Desecrate The Vile" which was cool but this one slays it. This is some of the best US brutal death metal I have heard in a long time and truth be told has revitalised my interest in it. That saying it does have a few "samey" moments but by god it has some seriously fantastic playing exectued with some finesse. Not for everyone but brutal death metal fans, this is a must have. See if you can headbang as fast as these guys can blast!
- Eirgmos Aidios
- Ere The Dark Soverein
- Baptismal Incineration Upon Simonits
- Catharsis Of Human Impurity
- Embodied In Elms Of Eternal Misery
- Realms Of Ungodly
- Forged Within Lecherous Offerings
- The Divine Order Of Babylon
- Manipulated For Servitude
- Submerged Upon Phlegethon
Label: http://uniqueleader.com
Reviewer: Connor
Feb 5, 2012
Feb 5, 2012
Next review:
Heretique - Ore Veritatis
Share this:
