Labels: Willowtip Records
Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital
Release Date: 31 Jan 2025
Tracklist:
1. Omen Apollyon
2. Summoning Of Those Who Absorbed
3. Taking The Shape Of Infinity
4. In The Name Of Ubiquitous Gloom
5. Paralyzing The Light II
6. Absolute Dismal Domain
7. Smoldering Of Seraphim
8. His Creation That No Longer Exists
9. Dominion
I'm using all of the restraint I possess to refrain from ranting (too much) about the state of our island nation right now. Politically and financially we are heading for the abyss, but those in charge are constantly telling us that things are stronger than ever. The political party system in the UK is not fit for purpose anymore and should be defunded, and disbanded.
My idealogical views aside, it's time to dive back into the wonderful escapism that is extreme music again, while pretending that I have my finger on the pulse. I say that because tonight I am writing about the latest full-length from Belarussian death metal band Relics Of Humanity, which was released via Willowtip Records in January (and I'm well aware that it's now September).
The downtuned opener ‘Omen Apollyon’ acts as a precursor, while being more than an intro, as Relics Of Humanity don’t just employ their instrumentation to help build atmosphere but also vocals too. All of those early elements lead straight into ‘Summoning Of Those Who Absorbed’, which immediately hits hard with up-tempo percussion. That immediacy is replaced shortly after by a mix of both slow OSDM that crosses into brutal/slam death territory later on. So far so brutal and I’m only two tracks in!
‘Taking The Shape Of Infinity’ is that sweet mix of downtuned death metal and brutal slam that really hits the spot. The percussion takes over somewhat later on but that’s kind of to be expected given the organic/raw production and mastering of the album. I’ve been digging further into the brutal death metal scene of late, as it has been a sub-genre that I kinda shied away from for a time. As my tastes have changed (much like the seasons) I’ve found the technicality filling a gap I never knew was missing.
So far the songs on Absolute Dismal Domain have grown in playing time and ‘In The Name Of Ubiquitous Gloom’ is no different as it drags you to the album’s midway point. Longer song lengths don’t necessarily mean slower tempos or noodling progression though, as Relics Of Humanity prove. After an oddly stuttering end where they bleed into ‘Paralyzing The Light II’, they recover quickly with the heaviest tones and atmosphere so far.
Atmosphere is obviously a big part of the sound that Relics Of Humanity craft and nowhere is it more prevalent than on the album’s title-track ‘Absolute Dismal Domain’. Once again it’s subtly downtempo in it’s delivery, as the instrumentation is given plenty of space and the vocals are used more sparingly. ’Smoldering Of Seraphim’ is all percussive blasts and deep vocals, with the guitars sitting deeper in the mix at times.
Penultimate song ‘His Creation That No Longer Exists’ provides one final look at the more expansive sound performed by Relics Of Humanity. I use the term “expansive” a bit loosely though as it’s still driven by extremity and brutality. Closing with ‘Dominion’, you’re presented with what initially sounds like an interlude before the vocals come in, adding depth to what is an ambient and moody ending. It’s honestly hard to sum up this album without retracing well-trodden ground. It’s epic yet down-to-earth as well.
If you like death metal in any and all of it’s forms, then you’ll undoubtedly enjoy this album. Relics Of Humanity have laid down a new marker all of their own.
You can stream and purchase the album digitally below, where it's also available to buy on both physical formats:-
Willowtip Records - https://www.facebook.com/willowtip
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