US doom/death metal band Encoffination, featuring Father Befouled/Festered fellas guitarist/vocalist Justin "Ghoat" Stubbs and drummer Elektrokutioner, formed in 2008, but all their 3 releases came out this in 2010. They have released two 7" vinyl EP's and this, their first full length album.

This album is the foulest, most life force draining musical entity, that I've heard in some time. As the band's and the album's names suggest, this is all about death. It begins with church bells tolling and singing of a psalm backed by ritualistic drumming and otherworldly sounds. But this poor soul isn't going to heaven, because it is on its way to hell! Evil, dirty and abyssal metal of death is what Encoffination are about. It is not about technicality, unique riffs or catchy compositions (pop/rock style catchy), but a sonical journey to the darkest of spheres. Highly influenced by such abominations as Incantation and Disembowelment, there is no escape from this gripping madness.

The production can be called as "bad" by all Hi-Fi freaks, but then again, they listen to Sting and all other silk-cocks anyway. In my opinion, the only right way to experience this music is with a headset, so every smallest of nuances are captured by a listener. 'Ritual Ascension beyond Flesh' totally depends on its atmosphere. None of Encoffination's or this album's constituent could work alone. Heavy, ripping guitar tones, distorted bass and far-pounding drums create weird soundscape, which sounds very cavernous. I call soundscape Weird, because the instrumentation is simplistic, but the whole is the other way around. Sometimes of funereal speed, sometimes intensively blast beating, this becomes a living, breathing entity. Or should I put it "dead", or being "in limbo" (meaning the "edge" of Hell)?! Real low, guttural grunting is totally incomprehensible, but again, it is the atmosphere and feel of it all: You know excatly what the hell is that uttering of sounds about.

I feel being left a tad too far from total experience this album, I really do believe, could offer, hence to the missing lyrics (if there are any printed, I do not know) and the covers of a promo copy. 'Ritual Ascension beyond Flesh' is simplistic at a quick glance, but totally atmospheric and a huge entity when dived into its bowels. If you are ready for real underground, then be welcomed.

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/23/2011 21:07