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The complexity trumps the intensity for a bit too long.-
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| Inevitable End: The Severed Inception |
Death Metal, Grindcore
Relapse Records
March 17th, 2009
- The Severed Inception - 4:04
- Dreamsight Synopsis - 3:34
- Embracing the Origin - 4:29
- Persevering Incitement - 4:12
- Collapse in Reverse - 3:43
- Distorted - 1:03
- Firstborn of All Dead - 4:07
- Apprentice Luminous Acquaintance - 4:13
- The Art of Corruption - 4:40
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| Review Information |
Release length: 34:05
Review posted on May 23rd, 2011
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| | Overall Score: 7.5/10 |
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| Discography |
Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed. |
| Full-Length(s): |
The Severed Inception (2009) • The Oculus (2011)
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| Demo(s): |
Inevitable End (2004) • Reversal (2006)
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| Review |
Inevitable End is a Swedish Death Metal and Grindcore band. Formed in 2003, the band issued two demos before signing to Relapse Records to put out their stern debut offering, The Severed Inception. With the demo material creating quite a buzz on the internet, it was pretty obvious that there was something going on with this release, but the main concern became whether their debut full-length was powerful enough to make this band into something big, or show off more Death/Grindcore worship of the originators, bringing nothing new to the table.
Surprisingly, The Severed Inception was a nice change of pace. The music on the album seemed to have a stronger Death Metal focus then a Grindcore one, and considering the band initially started with a Thrash influence instead of Grindcore, it was a sigh of release once the title track "The Severed Inception" kicked in to welcome the listener to the madness. The music doesn't necessarily come off with a great deal at atmosphere or ambience, nor does it really seem crushing, punishing, or anything along those lines. Instead, the songs on this recording feel more like just stern music and lyrical content with an energetic and ambitious performance backing it up. There's a little chaos here and there to some of the songs too, such as "Dreamsight Synopsis", but it's more like awkward guitar chords that sound out of tune with the rest of the song, which is the case there, or other some shifts in the music that just don't quite work or seem to even belong.
The overall sound quality of the recording doesn't help much either, but seems to work with the overall stern atmosphere that the songs give off. Overall, the album sounds a little hollow and even a bit airy as far as the production quality goes. Had there been a muddier sound to the recording, then chances are good the music here would sound punishing, though there's still a decent amount of intensity to the energetic performance to make it heavy enough to be thoroughly enjoyed. Aside that, there's also the technical aspect of the music to deal with, which isn't that bad, and in some cases, like with most of "Embracing the Origin", it adds to the edge that the music really has. However, when the music isn't quite as technically driven in a Mathcore sense, the simpler Death Metal chords really stand out and almost instantly get the listener's head banging along with the groovy Swedish Death Metal sound that sometimes is coupled with a Grindcore intensity int he drumming.
Of all the songs, "Distorted" becomes the odd man out. Much of the album is composed of songs that are generally three to five minutes long with a strong Death input against a Grindcore backdrop. However, "Distorted" comes off more as a traditional Grindcore song then anything, and it's honestly one of the better tracks. It has a lot more bite to it, and matches the overall production quality a lot better in the long run. There's no denying the band mixes the two styles well, as songs like "Embracing the Origin" becomes an instant ride of intensity, and "Firstborn of All Dead" has a strong Death Metal groove to it with a more traditional drum performance that doesn't add anything too unique, but matches the song itself nicely, especially when it picks up as you progress through the song. It's at this point the release stops sounding stern, and really becomes more intense then anything. "Apprentice Luminous Acquaintance" is a strong track that just hammers away at the listener with well executed guitar technicality that doesn't take it too over the top like on other tracks, and it becomes a very intense track thanks to that extra bit working so well with some extra powerful drumming, and the vocals retaining the same energetic performance of screaming with various gutteral attacks. The closing track "The Art of Corruption", however, is where the whole effort comes together as it blends faster, Grindcore speeds with a Brutal Technical Death Metal assault that varies between that speed, as well as a much slower approach that screams of a melancholic Death Metal sound. The track becomes the most intense song on the recording, and will leave the listener's blood pumping with a desire to hear more, but along the lines of the last few songs moreso then the overly technical Mathcore inspired material that started off the album in a somewhat stern, almost warning vibe that was good, but felt held back by the intricate musicianship.
The album isn't the most fantastic effort ever, and definitely isn't the must own album, but for what it is, it's a solid effort. The band smashes the general concept of how Death Metal and Grindcore need to sound like bands along the lines of Napalm Death, and actually find a voice of their own. The more intricate guitar work that adorns the album isn't the greatest at times, but some tracks can really shine through with an extra kick to the music adding to some real intensity that seems to pop up out of nowhere at times, especially the end of the album. Overall, there's some potential on this recording, but sadly, it doeksn't seem to be recognized until the end, and by then it just becomes a bit too late. If technical Metal or Grindcore in any form, or even Mathcore happens to be your thing, then the niche showmanship of the music found on this recording will have you drooling from the start. If not, then you'll still find some really impressive tracks on the recording, so either way it's worth checking out.
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Physical review copy of this release provided by:
personal funds.
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