The sole Vermin alive nowadays are this Dutch death metal band. They've been battering since 2002 and 'Define : Divine' is their third full length album to date.

All right, the band's playing is tight. They have pretty mechanic impression in the rhythmic work. Not as much as Fear Factory for example, though. Finger tapped guitar solos and some rare ambient guitar work remind of Meshuggah, and add to the mechanic feeling. The guitar riffs are influenced by US death metal, from Cannibal Corpse's warbling style to Hate Eternal's massive and fast riff-wall, and to heavy 'n' slow riffage. And as Vermin like to blast aplenty, the result sounds a lot like Hate Eternal's. Vermin use breakdowns which add some groove. Aborted isn't far at some points. Or Dying Fetus. It is simply hellishly challenging to be noticed among voluminous cohort of death metal bands. Vermin do not manage to sound individual at all, and while there are some good riffs, it all feels too familiar. The vocals vary from rabid growl to shouting.

The production is partly mechanic (especially the drums), partly organic (majority of the guitars and the vocals). This is well and accurately performed. The lyrics are about religions that crush "self" and feeling shitty in this shitty world. The cover art is strangely fascinating, even though it's PhotoShopped, but it definitely made me to anticipate for far more technical stuff. Other pages are definitions of ugliness.

While Vermin can blast and in any case be loud, they still can not get under my skin. Their hooks aren't sharp enough for my battle-hardened skin.

Rating: 5½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/30/2009 17:07