While bigger named brutal/technical death metal acts (Cannibal Corpse, Spawn of Possession, Gorod, Nile, Dying Fetus) will get the lions share of the attention in 2012, as usual there are a number of under the radar acts that deserve your death metal ear. Recently, the likes of Nocturnal Torment,  Stalwart, Tombthroat, Fisthammer, Never to Arise and Deadborn have caught my ear. But arguably the best of the bunch is the sophomore effort from Italy’s Antropofagus.

Though this is the band’s second effort, their debut No Waste of Flesh was released way back in 1999 and the band has been on hold ever since with only a split and an EP in between. Also, there is only one member left from that effort.With a style lying somewhere between brutal and technical, Antropofagus have a distinctly American sound that tangibly culls from Eternal Suffering (I mean c’mon, the opening riff of “Sadistic Illusive Puritanism” is blatant), Nile, Dying Fetus and Morbid Angel. And its this mix of brutal grooves, blasting vortexes and monstrous production that makes Architecture of Lust one of 2012s best (non retro) death metal albums. Country mates Hour of Penance my get more acclaim and attention, but frankly, Architecture of Lust blows Sedition away.

As with almost all death metal, Antropofagus aren’t about doing anything new or original, but taking the genres tropes and sharpening and delivering them with deadly precision. When delivering their more blazing, brutal blasts,  they aren’t quite as complex or technical as country mates Fleshgod Apocalypse, but close (i.e “Eternity to Devour” , “The Lament Configuration”) . But the band’s allure isn’t a single speed assault as the variety of Architecture of Lust is what is it’s appeal. Where Antropofagus succeed is breaking up the often Nile like vortex with huge grooves and massive, grinding segments.  Where its the Morbid Angel (think “Hatework”) like crawl of closer “Det Helgeren Av Haxor” (complete with liquidy David Vincent vocals), or huge militant marches contained in the likes of personal favorite “Sanguinis Bestiae Solum” and “Exposition of Deformities”.

My only tiny gripe is that during a  couple of the furious blast beats, the band randomly adds an annoying tinny snare drum to the fray (“Demise of the Carnal Principle”, “Blessing Upon My Redemption”) that’s different from the snare used elsewhere, and it grates a little. Still, it doesn’t take away from Davide Billia’s (Putridity, Septycal Gorge and who also produced the album) utterly commanding drum performance.Either way, Architecture of Lust is a must have death metal release for 2012.

Fucking.Perfect. Death.Metal.

[Visit the band's website]

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