Here we have a band (technical yet brutal death metal; suits me very much thank you!) who put out their latest release, this EP, in 2014. After that, no studio recordings, but a couple of live videos... Still, the band seem to be active, with a new guitarist. So here's hoping!

Anyway, let's dig into their history first. Deconversion hail from Mexicali, Baja California, and formed in 2011. Prior to this, they released a 3-song demo CD. They started as a quartet, but the vocalist left and both guitarists assumed that role. This was marketed as a full-length album by the label prior its release. Which one it is, does not really matter if the price is right... And one picking this up will get more beats in a minute than picking up regular metal album anyway.

The music on here tends to totally lose its listener if not given enough attention. It definitely isn't catchy in a regular way. Really, zoning into this may or may not succeed. You know, sometimes cover artwork acts as a good hint... This offers straight (as in technical death metal, that is) parts, but also weird, unexpected turns: This one is filled with incertitude at some points. However, sometimes reading lyrics (which inspect violent nature of humans) can help out in understanding a composition; this act helped me on this one for sure.

The guitars are sharp in sound; a lot of tremolo picking is utilized. Sometimes there is almost harmonious parts, but they go on their own for most of the time. Still, they coalesce to make a chaotic unity, like an alien conversation with disharmonies and... their own bits and bops, that do not always feel to be in unison. The bass guitar, which is rather rubbery-sounding, follows either the guitars or drums, and sometimes goes on its own. The drumming is enigmatic with its clanks and tinkles between high-velocity blasting. It's not all about speed, though, since there are these unexpected turns around, if not every, but many corner, and every now and then there is a bit of a looser playing; like a breather for a second or two. It would all disintegrate into atoms really fast if it wasn't performed by a tight unit. Luckily, the band hold up. Also, the production sounds nicely organic, and not mechanic or processed.

'Incertitude of Existence' is a wild, wild ride. It offers new discoveries for a very long time, but only for those who are able to sustain its quirks and anomalies. Brave tech-death-nauts, get ready in your listening chambers... 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 - you're still not listening to this?!

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/20/2022 22:40