I usually prefer some memorable riffs in my death metal, but sometimes ample atmosphere and heaviness is enough. And, that’s where this 4-song demo succeeds. You won’t be humming any part of it afterward, but you might be haunted by it.

It begins with an ambient piece that sounds like dark energy echoing from the deep abyss. The words, “Maybe we’re in Hell,” rise to the surface, and hell sure doth follow. You’re dragged down slowly at first. Then, sturdy drums methodically hammer and churning guitars grind your feeble soul as waves of deep echoed growls rise and crash over the entire writhing mass. Moments of monolithic doom are interspersed throughout, but offer no respite. The death to doom ratio is reversed on the third track, “Œnemic Subjugation,” but that doesn’t mean it’s any less punishing. The demo closes with a simple experimental track composed of low-frequency surges and distant ringing. It’s not a climactic ending, but somehow seems appropriate.

This is Incantation worship taken to its ultimate conclusion. If it were any more dense, it would implode in on itself. If it were any more unfeeling, it would be completely inhuman. Even now, it’s easy to forget that there really is an actual human being creating these sounds, and that human is Justin Stubbs, aka Ghoat, of Father Befouled, Encoffination, and other old-school-minded projects. He handled every aspect of this demo himself, even the design and packaging. I look forward to hearing what future horrors may await from this new project.

[Visit the band's website]

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