Croatian band Evil Never Dies, or E.N.D., have been in existence since 1996 when they were a hardcore band in the style of Sick of It All, since when they have moved towards the realms of groove metal. This EP follows three albums, a number of demos and another EP which they have released over the years.
A furious punk thrash style assault leads us in. The raucous death metal style is supported by a hardcore chorus. It all points to violence and energy. “Blinded by Avarice” is like a whirlwind. The guitar lines are sharp and pronounced, and have a deep, djenty quality which has drawn comparison with Meshuggah. “Shattered” is exactly this – downright heavy, riff-chunky and dynamic. The smell of burning rubber continues with the heavy chunks of “Host to Hostile”. Brutal as ever, in the deepest of grooves, the instrumental attack is methodical but full of exciting twists and turns. The guitar sounds its siren. The hardcore element is not forgotten. The instruments are like machine guns on “Unvigorous”, which smoothly expands out into an unexpected epic section before reverting to the uncompromising machine gun fire. The final adrenaline-pumping song on this 19 minute collection is “Spontaneous Human Corruption”. The djenty groove line digs deeper while the message is roared at us. The music twists and turns, hits hard and harder and pummels us into the ground in a most uplifting way.
This really is the complete deal. E.N.D. know what they’re doing. “A Grave Deceit” is full of groove death hardcore menace and energy. It’s fluid, tight and exciting. It’s a superb combination.
(9/10 Andrew Doherty)
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