Artwork- Marco Hasmann
"Dominant Inhumanity" boasts such an immense improvement in recording and production since Cannibalistic Infancy’s 2009 EP “Decomposition of Materiality”, you may think it's a different band entirely. Words that come to mind with their new sound are thick, beefy and pounding. Everything is mixed in really well for an incredibly hard-hitting brutal slamming death metal record. Right from the beginning, the re-recorded “Urethral Decaying” proves the band is back and is much better. The vocalist, Artyom Pavlenko, does an amazing job of mixing in a few different styles of airy gutturals. He makes it obvious that he has an extensive range at his disposal, but does not overuse different styles. "Urethral Decaying" is the only song on this full length that also appeared on the band's 2009 EP. The last minute of this song is one big, fat, slow slam. Come to think of it, one big, fat, slow slam could describe the majority of this record.
Yes, "Dominant Inhumanity" is generously peppered with brutal, head bobbing slams, but what else is here? Of course, you've got your quicker, catchy guitar riffs, blast beats, and cute little drum fills. All of these elements are key to a great record in this genre of music, but what else is needed? That secret ingredient, the one that cannot be put into words. It's more of a feeling. What classics are made of. Just that feeling or vibe that makes you keep coming back for more. That is what is missing here.
"Dominant Inhumanity" is a good album, there just aren't many memorable moments. It's all been done before. I admit, it is incredibly heavy. Barbarically Brutal. Unforgivingly Ugly. It has been well received and Cannibalistic Infancy are definitely a force to be reckoned with, I just think they could do better to push the boundaries.
Let me talk a little more about what saves this record from the endlessly growing sea of generic bullshit in todays Brutal Death Metal scene. The tones of the tunes! The guitars on here are so powerful. Think Coprocephalic meets Kraanium, and then hit yourself in the face with a sledgehammer. Also, as I touched upon earlier, the vocals really keep all these slams from going stagnant. However, for me, the bass guitar needs to be turned up! I hear it rounding out the low ends and keeping things warm, I just wish it were more stand-alone audible. Between the slow parts, you get tremolo riffs that feel, and work well as transitions. When all is mixed together, it feels like a dumbed-down Defeated Sanity.
Some of the slower, almost beat down sections on the album remind me of Short Bus Pile Up, more than anything because of the vocals. I've always thought that on "Repulsive Display of Human Upholstery" Tyler Sharpes, vocalist of Short Bus Pile Up, was among the first to have some super awesome gutturals that were also comprehensible. There is a fair share of that vocal style going on here. "Dead Pornstars" is one of my favorite songs, bringing together all the element of the album, along with creative songwriting.
"Dominant Inhumanity" covers 8 songs over 26 minutes. While it may have a few flaws, it is short, and worth checking out. For me, it is missing some originality, but, once again, Russia brings home the Brutal Death bacon.
Purchase "Dominant Inhumanity" HERE
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