I adore the fact that so many OSDM bands are cropping up nowadays, it feels like being a part of the 90s scene, which as someone born in 93 is a pleasure to get the chance to experience for myself. We’ve got the brutality, we’ve got the Tech, we’ve got Deathcore even (well maybe we can leave that last one out). None the less I adore the scene right now and seldom drag myself away from it, week after week plunging into more and more modern Death Metal releases. So imagine my surprise when I heard that one of Denmark’s finest were preparing to drop a new record!
I am of course talking about the mighty Undergang. If you don’t know this band they formed in 2008 and have since strived for perfection. This perfection was attained via the bands fourth full length release Misantropologi which pretty much blew up the Death Metal underground. For good cause too, it’s a massive album. However, with this comes an additional pressure, following such a release up is no mean feat. So, can Aldrig I Livet which comes to us through Dark Descent Records and Me Saco Un Ojo Records be a bigger hit than its predecessor?
Opening song Præfluidum gets straight into it following what can only be described as an 80s Horror atmosphere. Then in come those massive riffs and putrid vocals, vile sickening and at points Goregrind at least vocally, striking stuff. Following with seamless precision comes Spontan Bakteriel Selvantændelse. The thick bass sound, messy guitar solo and overall hideous Death Metal display is an honour for the ears of the depraved. Indtørret Lig gives us more of those Grind-like drum patterns in a sort of Rotten Sound manner, a blending of the lines of pure Death and Goregrind, done in ways that can only be commended. The slower portion of the song drags with morose feeling, apathetic, desperate and utterly devastating. Menneskeæder keeps up the pace, muddy riffs that meld with the bass and furious drums make for a Death Metal match made in heaven, these guys know exactly what they’re doing.
Ufrivillig Donation Af Vitale Organer keeps things exciting as the album bridges over into the second half with Sygelige Nydelser (Del III) Emetofili, this song has some of the most killer vocals I’ve heard in some time. Spewing and spluttering at points like vomitus preachings. The title track equally packs a punch, this isn’t out of the box Death Metal by any stretch but it’s many aspects of subgenres pooled together, arguably this is an excellent record for Death Metal newbies. Next Rødt Dødt Kød begins with another video nasty styled intro similar to that of the albums opener, then it’s straight into all out Death Metal. The longest song on the record and one that packs a punch for sure bringing in Goregrind, Death Metal, Death Doom and a whole host of others this is a perfect summary of the bands work to date. As a final conclusion comes Man Binder Ikke Et Dødt Menneske, one final gore drenched hurrah for a blinding album.
This album is pretty much faultless and also a testament to my claim that generic need not mean boring. Far from it, there is no new ground tread on this album for Death Metal as a genre and still it’s huge in sound and delivery. It’s simply a compilation of very well written songs that ooze sickness, shock and filth, all the reasons why I fell in love with the genre in the first place. If you’re going to start an OSDM band then I seriously suggest listening to Undergang, the band are on fire right now with a second blinding album in succession, talented and ferocious.
(9/10 George Caley)
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