ALBUM REVIEW: Ascended Dead – Evenfall of the Apocalypse

ASCENDED DEAD have carved a name in the underground for being one of the best Death Metal acts true to the oldest vein of the movement. Bringing to mind names like Sadistic Intent, Necrovore and Angelcorpse. Now they return with their second full length album, due on May 12th via 20 Buck Spin.

Ominous soundscapes introduce the record briefly before plunging us into mega-death. Savage riffing and blast beats kick in with apocalyptic scorn emanating from the entire bands’ vicious vision for their approach. Snarling vocals add more bestial malice to the already hostile sound and with their raw, unforgiving musical approach we can hear Ascended Dead are as untamed as ever. The unleashing of such feral Death Metal ecstasy cannot be recoiled, from the get-go this record is a mental ride through sepulchral spasms and contortions of unholy violence. From the skull-crushing rhythm section to the flesh-ripping leads and monstrous vocals, this hideous malformation of decay starts as it means to go on… With total carnage.

Further into the abyss we dive, as this record develops a monolith of eldritch atmosphere but rather than through slow lumbering passages, with a totally bestial execution. This sadistic display of sonic disdain never loses moment either, something that is damn impressive when you pick apart how crazed the drum fills and guitar acrobatics are to keep up. In spite of all this, Ascended Dead achieve a very organic and natural sound that few bands in the modern day pull of so well (Omegavortex being a noteworthy example). Like a veil of chaos resting atop sheer unrest, this ill-willed concoction of evil will tear all apart who dare witness the abhorrent spectacle.

Conspiring against all with total vengeance, this unfathomably dark spirit of this record seems to permeate the air even more foully as the record draws on. Each piece is an intense bout of ecstatically ruinous intensity, but altogether a truly unstoppable beast is summoned. Each passing moment is a destructive assault of the senses which is delivered with barbarism and yet intricacy is present in abundance. This is not some clumsy, oafish Death Metal. This is true venom and fury that is precise and focussed. Prepare to engage in a conquest of blood-drunk rage until the very end which will leave you salivating to play this record again.

Truly morbid Death Metal from the catacombs that spews the primordial underground spirit when the 80s turned to the 90s. Ascended Dead have hit their peak, with the most rivetingly ruthless and unforgiving record of their career to date. “Evenfall of the Apocalypse” is unmissable for anyone serious about Death Metal in its truest form.