DEFEATED SANITY

I can't say I was overly impressed with DEFEATED SANITY's 2007 sophomore release "Psalms of the Moribund" (Grindethic Records) or at least didn't feel like it matched the hype that has been heaped on the German act these past few years. Be that as it may, the disc is still a better than average representation of U.S. inspired Brutal Death Metal (BDM) in its purest form, a statement that comes from an admitted appreciator of the style. The new album and Willowtip debut "Chapters of Repugnance" is a better and modestly more varied representation; exactly the kind of sewage-spew bulldozing to which BDM devotees flock, as exemplified by the gathering of lacerated souls that attend Central Illinois Deathfest every year (yes, that's a plug).

In the way of immune system battery, the initial shock from "Chapters of Repugnance" derives from its ungodly low end. The bass reverberation that welcomes the listener on "Introitus" is the quickest route to a lifetime of inner ear problems. It is just plain terrifying and while the disorientation lessens as one takes the tour of terror, the resulting nausea never really goes away. It is a fundamental piece of a foundation that is also built on sludgy, riff bludgeon that is deceptively angular at times and the classic gutturals of none other than A.J. Magana (DISGORGE). His presence on the album couldn't be more fitting, as the DEFEATED SANITY style directly descends from the patented style of the underground legends. Along with a pinch more arrangement variation than usual for the approach, especially during the second half of the album, is a marginal degree of inflectional shifting and pattern changeups than is usual for Magana, based on his past DISGORGE performances. There are even moments where the riffing threatens to move out of the prototypical BDM realm and into areas typified by the likes of SKINLESS (think "Foreshadowing our Demise"),but some attentiveness is required in detecting it. The same goes for a deceptiveness of technicality.

As far as a recommendation for the BDM exclusivists is concerned "Chapters of Repugnance" is a no-brainer. Moving outside of that diehard circle most would probably find the album to be, as previously mentioned, merely an above average demonstration of the style. In other words, "brutal is as brutal does" is not an expression of derogation. For some reason though my enthusiasm for the work of DEFEATED SANITY, new album included, never reaches that exhibited by a fan base that grows more rabid with each release.