ALBUM REVIEW: Praenuntius Infiniti – Vulvodynia

Six years ago, South African death metallers VULVODYNIA released the EP Finis Omnium Ignorantiam. It told the story of an interdimensional deity called Praenuntius who, after being cast into the abyss by the elder Gods, begins devouring all of the known multiverse on a quest for ultimate power and divine omnipotence, ending with the consumption of Earth and sending it through centuries of darkness towards an eternal wasteland of galaxies. Now, the saga reaches its conclusion with Praenuntius Infiniti, the band’s fourth studio album, set for release on September 17th  via Unique Leader Records.

Calling this album merely a conclusion to the story started by VULVODYNIA in 2015 is somewhat of an understatement – epic conclusion is more appropriate. Yes, it’s a cliché on the surface, but with 14 songs clocking in at just under an hour, it stands up to the claim, particularly when Praenuntius Infiniti is an all-out assault on the senses; a relentless barrage of riffs, blast beats and technical guitar hooks that will force you into submission, refuse to break the hold and then stamp on you until you’re little more than smithereens.

Even the opening title track, which has an acoustic edge, forebodes of the punishment to come; the backing synths feel dark and worrisome, the audible equivalent of storm clouds barrelling in from the horizon, and the deep, distorted spoken word introduction sounds positively evil. As soon as The Shadowy Descent Of Gaia kicks in with its big riff energy and BLACK DAHLIA MURDER vibes, the heavens are opened in a manner nothing short of a natural disaster which will continue to swirl until Deicidal Finality brings Praenuntius Infiniti to its bombastic climax.

Elsewhere Praenuntius Ascends brings in the first example – on this album, at least – of VULVODYNIA‘s stupidly crushing breakdowns that have taken them from merely a death metal band to one best described as ‘slam metal’ or ‘brutal death metal’. The two part Banquet Of Enigmatic Horrors also allows the band to flex their muscles in various ways: whilst Part 1, Terror, takes a more traditional approach that is in line with, say, CANNIBAL CORPSE, the Agony follow up showcases vocalist Duncan Bentley‘s extraordinary ability to rap death growls at a speed one might consider inhuman, especially when he’s supported by Thomas Hughes‘ machine-like precision on the drums.

The triple-axe attack of Luke Haarhoff, Kris Xenopoulos and Lwandile Prusent are outstanding throughout the album as well, allowing for that fuller sound of one member shredding whilst the others form an extra-strong rhythm section, just in a style IRON MAIDEN wouldn’t dare touch. As for bassist Chris van der Walt, his shining moment is The War Within, a masterful solo of slapped strings and, bizarrely, funk that manages to fit right in. What’s also impressive is that the story the band are telling across the record is surprisingly clear, although you won’t find any spoilers on who prevails here.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a band takes an extreme metal genre and throws all caution to the wind, look no further than VULVODYNIA. If you’re used to this sort of out-and-out heaviness, you’ll find plenty to enjoy; if not, be prepared to have your mind blown to pieces.

Rating: 8/10

Praenuntius Infiniti is set for release on September 17th via Unique Leader Records. 

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