ALBUM REVIEW: Phrenelith – Ashen Womb

Danish Death Metal contortionists Phrenelith return with their third album of punishing savagery. Out via Me Saco Un Ojo Records and Dark Descent Records on February 7th.

Spectral atmospherics begin our experience with funereal guitars and drums soon to be met by gruesomely spewed vocals. The churning malice that instantly erupts forth is exactly what Phrenelith does best with a crushingly dark production to match the venomous musical torment. Blending convulsive grooves with extremely vicious blasting, the dynamic and demonic display from the band continues perfectly from their impeccable discography, where both albums alongside shorter releases have proven time and time again that Phrenelith is a consistently amazing band. Their grim and sepulchral approach to crafting these Death Metal monoliths forever adapting and warping while holding a stoic sense of identity that is always recognisably their own. Betwixt the bludgeoning drums the riffs remain varied and impactful. David’s vocals are a bit more sparse than when performing with Undergang and allow more of the instruments to carry the songs flow but then when his guttural vomits do come through, they elevate the songs to tremendous heights. “Ashen Womb” is off to a very strong start, and its tendrils have me truly gripped and unable to escape its wrath.

The manner in which these four maniacs construct songs together is nothing like their other bands which makes Phrenelith one of the most exciting Danish bands for me (alongside Undergang, Deiquisitor and many more). Fetid sinews of songs meander away from the main structure to give us some explorative and cerebral experiences before returning to the cataclysmic viciousness of its core being. Forever moving and yet remaining coherent and structured, each second flows seamlessly and evokes excitement and anguish in equal measure. Masterfully writing such visceral Death Metal is no easy feat, but this is a band I always expect the highest of quality from and never leave disappointed. There are even moments you could describe as cinematic on this record, which in the context of a hellish and barbaric album like this is definitely impressive. Not a second feels lazy and these titans will have you sadistically imprisoned until the end, which sadly draws closer…

Forging forward in their endless quest for brutality and the macabre, there is no denying the band has stripped this record to only the best ideas presented as it never feels short of relentless. The occasional moments of subtlety that allow you to draw breath only do so before the band floods your lungs with stagnated blood and other festering delights. A gruellingly gruesome and gory experience with a more spiritual and refined angle than many of their contemporaries, this behemoth of vengeful death will bring armageddon to you as its nine offerings of wounding magnificence will spellbind you throughout. After such an experience, only one thing remains, to play it all over again… This feels the only option and thankfully there is more than enough to keep you coming back to this album with all of its exciting twists, turns, grooves and outright malignancy. I am sure you will discover hidden ossuaries and catacombs the further you explore with this record and even after one listen the rancid rewards are immense.

A feat of vile, torturous and evil Death Metal mayhem that secures the bands unwaveringly wonderful discography. Three albums in, plus many shorter releases, and Phrenelith show no mercy or signs of weakening their diabolical excellence. “Ashen Womb” is a superb cut of sonic slaughter that all morbid maniacs need to witness. Find yourself decaying in the midst of their ravenous storms of rot or decimated by the sheer intensity. Either way, this experience is one worth having.