EP REVIEW: Continuum Of Xul – Falling Into Damnation

At the end of May CONTINUUM OF XUL unleashed a ferocious EP of old school Death Metal. Though belated, I enjoyed it a lot thus figured I should transcribe some thoughts. Released via Lavadome Productions.

A minute of ambience opens the EP with an unsettling vibe before we are dropped headfirst into an onslaught of ferocious riffing. Drums hammer into action with bestial vocals, carried on a wave of violently convulsive guitars which jump around in spasming vortexes of sonic extremity, refined as a tight unit and displayed with a crushing production. The influence “Covenant” / “Domination” era of Morbid Angel is clear-cut alongside the likes of Immolation, Hate Eternal and Vital Remains in the bands sound which is technical and brutal but in that old school way. Blistering solos add some melody while keeping things strictly Death Metal. Impressively, the EP gets off to a monolithically heavy and chaotic but also very concentrated start. As my introduction to the band, it floored me just how akin to those influences this band manage to be while adding their own hallmark of dissonance and savagery.

“Dreaming In The Underworld” is the centrepiece of the EP. Understandably as it is the strongest track, not to diminish the excellent quality of the rest. Absolutely nailing the legendary riffing style of Trey Azagthoth with stop-start percussion and monstrous vocals in tow, this is a masterwork of truly barbaric and punishing Death Metal. Paced excellently, we see slower atmospherics and thrashing malice coexist in a realm of mysterious and destructive music that progresses in an incredibly exciting but also very natural manner. Ending on a cover of US Extreme Metal legends Absu, from their early 90s Death Metal days, delivering a glorious rendition that takes on new form and life thanks to the visceral execution by Continuum Of Xul, closing their EP on a high.

A rapturous and zealous display of Death Metal carnage which warps into strange realms while retaining the old school fire at the heart of every track. Technicality melts into sheer primitive ferocity and the blend is very complementary to achieve some grievously heavy music that feels very well-written while having an unpredictable flare. Fans of true Death Metal must not miss this devastating record, which delivers so much heaviness in under 20 minutes.