Disengagement - Formless In A Violent World

Labels: Self-Released/Dry Cough Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 14 Jul 2023

Tracklist:

1. Black Hole Horizon

2. Permafrost

3. Deathdealer

4. Formless In A Violent World

Continuing (and catching-up) with my write-ups about the releases coming from Manchester, UK based doom/sludge turned doom/death label Dry Cough Records moves a step closer this evening as I focus on the 2023 debut EP from North West quintet Disengagement. Formless In A Violent World saw the light of day (if that's the right phrase) in July 2023 on both digital and tape formats. It proved so popular in fact, that Dry Cough Records pressed a second run of tapes, which are now fully sold out.

On reading through the list of bands that Disengagement's members play in/have played in, it's names including The Flex, Violent Reaction, Sectarian Violence and Headroom that jump out at me. Its got me wondering how they went on to form a band rooted in old-school death metal. Maybe that's a question better left unasked. 

I own a copy of this EP on tape and despite having a portable tape/cd combo player, I’m in the market for a proper tape deck (any leads would be greatly appreciated). I need one to fully appreciate the quality encased within the plastic shell of this and all of the other tapes in my collection. Starting with ‘Black Hole Horizon’, Disengagement presents a down and dirty modern take on OSDM, which is something UK bands do pretty damn well. Pummelling yet classy percussion is joined by rumbling bass, thrash-laden death metal riffs and deep, bellowed vocals.

The opening riffs and tempo of ‘Permafrost’ nod towards the many bands that Disengagement’s members also reside in, but don’t let that fool you. Instead of being influenced by raucous/groovy hardcore, the mid-paced death metal approach turns it into a menacing yet subtle march.

‘Deathdealer’ sees the tempo ratchet up a notch thanks to more thrash-like death metal grooves. It’s a really classy take of death metal that will captivate you, if you haven’t already been dragged in by it’s hellish siren song. I appreciate that it’s been nearly eighteen months since this EP was released, but I for one am hoping that the silence from Disengagement since doesn’t spell the end of the band.

Closing with the title-track ‘Formless In A Violent World’, things get decidedly more sludgy and slower in tempo, leaning evermore towards the old-school. I’m not complaining because everything about it is absolutely perfect. The instrumental and eventual vocal delivery is what makes it so.

If you’re looking for a death metal EP that’s free from experimental noodling and resplendent in straight-forward yet disgusting tones, this is for you. I’m going to stick my neck out and say that it’s the best version  of OSDM I’ve listened to since the (new) current wave of UK death metal crawled out of the soil. More please!

You can stream and purchase Formless In A Violent World digitally below for just £2.00 from Disengagement below:-

Disengagement Instagram - @disengagement.death

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords