MAN MUST DIE

Pure fucking metal from Glasgow, Scotland, it is simply the way "The Human Condition" delivers its modern metal. Reminiscent in some respects of the first LAMB OF GOD album, and combining elements of thrash and death metal, MAN MUST DIE's debut album for Relapse is an angry, hateful album that threads melody through all of its songs, but never at the sake of brutality.

Aside from needing to fix a strange drum sound, "The Human Condition" burns hot to the core. The contempt for mankind heard throughout the album is led by Joe McGlynn's deep, gruff vocals, here again somewhat reminiscent of LOG's Randy Blythe. Well-placed sadistic screams punctuate the tunes nicely as well. A strong mix of fiery riffs and dark, often speed picked, harmonies give the compositions a sweat-drenched pit appeal and most of the tunes are quite memorable, particularly after you've spun the disc a few times, "You Stand Alone" an excellent case in point. The end-times feel is most noticeable on songs like "1000 Promises of Pain", the picking more subdued, the chords ominous as hell; it is also one of the album's mid-paced tracks amidst the mostly up-tempo numbers. The album hits a peak during "Past the Point", a song both desperate and violent, the height of loathing reached when McGlynn moves into a spoken section. A better drum mix would have sent this one over the extreme metal edge, as John Lee is a furious player.

If ever there was a soundtrack for disaffection and mental torment, it is "The Human Condition". Forget about 'core this or blackened that, this is just good 'ole face-melting extreme metal, and for that it deserves a little praise. I've got the feeling that the next album could be a breakout release for the band. Keep your ears open for these guys.