Debut EP from this Spanish trio of death metallers. And all apparently done ‘under their own will without paying attention to any current underground/mass media trends or what nowadays is referred to as cult’. Which frankly is pretty much what 9 out of 10 bands received at the Ave Noctum dungeons say. At least the insert says a more succinct Evil Death Metal.

So better hit play I guess.

‘Falsified Spirits’ pretty much hits the ground running with trilling guitar, heavy drums and a weird lack of bottom end until about 4 mins in when we get a cool up-front bass break. It definitely nods back to the late 80s, 90s kind of sound for me, pacey and tight with the odd kick of a time change. Not bad. Second track ‘At His Own Voracity’ slows the pace and the sound comes in a lot thicker and is all the better for it. It adds some actual malevolence to the sound has and almost early Celtic Frost feel to the echoing guitar work. Yeah, that’s a fair bit better.

‘Pulsions’ is probably closer to the opener and, though I doubt many will see it, has that kind of feel of early Slayer with its repeated speedy runs and choppy sound (without the vocals going at twice the speed of the riffs, mind). The title track comes in with a bit of straightforward heavy metal swagger in the riff before breaking out into that 80s/90s sound where thrash was mutating into death.

Always hard with a debut EP. It’s neat stuff, clear focus and still very much wears its influences on its sleeve. Really nothing wrong here, just a little more maturity to bring out their own voice. But if you fancy a little trip back in time sound wise this is worth the fare and I hope they continue exploring this. If nothing else it reminded me of being in Brum 30 odd years back.

(6.5/10 Gizmo)

https://blackseedprod.bandcamp.com/album/embrace-the-obsession