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Album Reviews : Depravity – Grand Malevolence

By on November 14, 2020

The sophomore album in a band’s career usually ends up being a definitive statement in crafting their own sound. The likes of Ride the Lightning by Metallica, Hell Awaits by Slayer and Morbid Angel’s Blessed are the Sick are all fine examples of this. A band such as Depravity hailing from the most isolated city in the world in Perth, Australia can draw up it’s own connotations especially in the world of brutal death metal. Featuring members who have previously played for such local acts as Malignant Monster, The Furor, Entrails Eradicated and Inanimacy gives you an idea they weren’t messing around when the band was formed in 2016. The debut album “Evil Upheaval” received a fair amount of critical acclaim in the death metal community around the world and resulted in festival appearances in Adelaide and Queensland which gave the Australian public wanting more from this incredibly professional death metal band. Fast forward to 2020 where the globe was hit with a pandemic which has halted progress in terms of playing shows outside Western Australia. However it should be noted that this album is one of the most highly touted in the realm of extreme music.

A aural bombardment is exactly what Grand Malevolence is. Intricate riffs which is no surprise in the world of modern death metal and given how good Lynton Cessford and Jarod Curley work together in crafting the tracks on the album. It is more than enough to make the ears bleed of those who are not accustomed to this type of music. If you are a fan of bands such as Immolation, Suffocation, Deeds of Flesh and Morbid Angel then this record is exactly what you need. I wouldn’t exactly refer to the riffage on the album as being progressive, but it is most certainly technical and intricate to the point where it could appreciated by fans of progressive music. Almost in a neo-classical way it provides an extra layer of depth to the bands already impressive songwriting ability. Songs such as the Invalid Majesty, Barbaric Eternity and the Coming of the Hammering all written by drum extraordinaire Louis Rando showcase his ability to write songs on guitar while being a drummer as well as his love of barbaric black/death metal similar to the likes of Angelcorpse, Marduk, Deicide and Beastial Warlust just to name a few.

“Castrate the Perpetrators” is a stand out on the album and is about the sexual abuse which goes on within the Catholic Church and Hollywood. Riff after riff of powerful technical ecstasy, drums from the bowels of the underworld and a vocal performance among the titans of death metal “Grand Malevolence” is one of the most anticipated records in extreme music this year. Due for release in December and already a few tracks have been shared on various platforms across the internet it’s one to savour. Headover to Transcending Obscurity records and pre-order a copy. You won’t be disappointed.

Band: Depravity
Album: Grand Malevolence
Year: 2020
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Transcending Obscurity
Origin: Australia