ALBUM REVIEW: The Passage Of Existence – Monstrosity
Throughout the 90s the death metal scene was continuously raising the standards of extreme metal. MONSTROSITY burst onto the scene in 1991 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the genre’s elite, sealing record deals with Nuclear Blast Records and paving their own route of devastation throughout Europe and the US in the process. Despite their global touring domination the Floridian outfit have been relatively quiet on the album front, at long last this draught is now coming to an end as MONSTROSITY gear up to release their first album in eleven years entitled The Passage Of Existence which is due for release today via Metal Blade Records.
The opening moments of Cosmic Pandemia are enough to send shivers down your spine as the band have clearly not lost a single step during this lengthy spell. Ferocious shredding and guttural onslaughts engulf your senses as intentions are made immediately evident. Impressive solo work is also emphasised as the track progresses. Kingdom Of Fire continues the rapid pace with a foray of blastbeats and increasingly intense riff work. Towards the midway point evil tones and an intense mood takes hold before firing into another wave of vicious instrumentation. Radiated follows suit with addictive, adrenaline fuelled technicality. Despite being bludgeoned to death by unbridled chaos there is also a distinct level of melody to the arrangements which provides the tracks with a memorable demeanour, an art which can be quickly lost when technical intricacy is introduced.
Solar Vacuum provides zero opportunity for respite as frantic drum work bombards the track, the arrangements are intense but every musician has their opportunity to show their wares. The Proselygeist ups the lunacy another notch with some impressive guitar work interwoven throughout the savagery alongside bursts of elaborate solo work which help to elevate the track even further. As the track begins to draw to a close ominous, dark vibes begin to stir which flow seamlessly into the appropriately titled Maelstrom. Swift riffing and crazy time signatures keep you on the edge of your seat as the track throws a variety of twists and turns in your direction.
Eyes Upon The Abyss comes hurtling at you like a rampaging bull with edgy riff work and scathing screams as MONSTROSITY somehow manage to maintain the incendiary pace they’ve set from the starting grids. Elaborate bass lines and a barrage of solo riffing alluringly drag you into the unrelenting vortex. Dark Matter Invocation sustains the carnage with inviting melody tinged guitar work combined with delightfully brutal musicianship. The jabbing riff work of The Hive instills a more groove driven flow to the arrangement as opposed to all out havoc, this transition results in some of the most captivating segments The Passage Of Existence has to offer.
Eternal Void kicks into gear with pounding drums and pacey shredding in an attempt to grind down what little remains of your ear drums before Century approaches lightspeed with its brief but potent presence, launching face melting solo work at you like a cannonball. Slaves To The Evermore brings a more complex structure to the mix with instruments hitting you from all angles, the riff work is utterly intoxicating and leaves an emphatic bootprint on your forehead for good measure.
There is always a concern when a band returns after a lengthy hiatus but in MONSTROSITY‘s case it has only intensified their hunger to prove why they are considered as one of the pioneers of death metal. Where so many bands in the extreme metal genre’s have a tendency to become increasingly elaborate to the point where it feels exhausting to interpret what is unfolding, the Floridian quintet have nailed the art of introducing an incredible level of technicality to their tracks but every layer flows seamlessly. They focus on providing inviting melodic patterns and addictive solo work which leaves you gasping for more. The Passage Of Existence is arguably their greatest work to date and there is no doubt that they still deserve their rightful place amongst the death metal elite.
Rating: 9/10
The Passage Of Existence is out now via Metal Blade Records.
Like MONSTROSITY on Facebook.