Oakland, California is quite a sunny and warm place to live in, but one won't hear sunshine on Necrot's music. Or perhaps its the killing rays of final times, when the ozone layer is yesterday. Anyways, Necrot's sophomore demo tape 'Into the Labyrinth' offers three brutal death metal songs.

It's good to hear, that two guys behind the band still haven't entered 21st century. Dirty, ugly, heavy and devoid of hope is how Necrot do it. This feels like listener is overrun by a platoon of tanks, and then everything what is left of one is driven underground on the tip of a huge bore. The title track is about Immolation and Incantation style blasphemous, fast and thick riffing, the will surely conjure evil spirits. Rhythms-wise it is rather straight, except for its longish drum kit rolls in the start. Without any surprise, there's a hint of Bolt Thrower in the song. 'The End' has definite Carcass vibes (yes, old Carcass!), as the song is rather punky with its more straightforward blasting and some insane riffs. Nicely different when compared to the opener, but still clearly from same band. 'Cycles of Pain' return to the style of the title track. The vocals are low guttural growling, and pretty much incomprehensible.

Necrot sound like the weight of the world is all on listener's shoulders. Dense heaviness is laborious to listen to, but thankfully it is not totally impermeable. The instruments and vocals can be separated in this impure sound environment. It could have been easily fucked up, but now it works as a good quality for them. The b/w covers look old school. Art is pretty nasty, especially the cover art gets thumbs up. Lyrics about madness, belief and merciless life are printed, which is good, due to how the vocals are.

All in all, Necrot have done it again. Earth-shatteringly heavy death metal assault is another praiseworthy release from them. This is only available as a tape, but can be listened over the net, so give it a try. Waiting for that full length album, then...

Reviewed by Lane
03/15/2013 13:21