Australian blackened death metal band Hebephrenique tore their way into the underground consciousness with their 2024 EP, Non Compos Mentis – described by Noob Heavy as an “unflinchingly horrifying listen”. The band wasted no time in building on this shocking assault and in 2025 unveiled their full-length debut album, Decathexis – released in their homeland by Gutter Prince Cabal and Brilliant Emperor Records. The incredible, unpredictable madness of Decathexis caught the ear of Apocalyptic Witchcraft head, Conor Droney, who knew immediately that he wanted to throw the weight of his label behind Hebephrenique and give more fans the chance to discover the warped wonders of Decathexis – hence an alliance was formed, for a new cassette and digital release of the album, with Droney commenting, “Australia has long produced some of the finest bands in extreme music, and Hebephrenique were one of the best discoveries I made last year. Imagine Gorguts & Mayhem crossed with In The Nursery, channelled through Anaal Nathrakh’s violent theatrics and drenched in a heavy sense of dystopian dread. I can’t wait for the rest of the extreme metal community to experience Decathexis.”
Opening with the eerie ‘Stasis’, a passage into the alien domain of Hebephrenique, Decathexis proceeds to confront, challenge and utterly consume. Within mind-flaying tracks like ‘I, Adverse’ breathtaking territories of strangeness await. Hebephrenique have created true otherness, a sonic world that feels wholly different to that which surrounds us. To enter here is to cast aside your sense of security and understanding. A deceptive riff will rise from the tumult, a piece of accomplished death metal majesty that you cling to, only to have it launch you into a spinning cascade of delirium. There is so much inside dark creations like ‘Ascent To Derilation’ – tragedy, melancholy, acceptance, attainment, desperation – all there and then gone again in a moment. From the martial imperiousness that begins ‘Argumentum Ad Baculum’ to the endlessly shifting atmospheres and dynamics of ‘To Inflict Or Nurture’ Decathexis is a monumental achievement. Built from staggering drumming which seems to harness and direct the power of chaos, a dizzying array of wildly imaginative guitar work and an elemental vocal performance – summoning, channelling the unspeakable and unknown – this is next level extremity.
Mixed by Brendan Auld (Idle Ruin, Malignant Aura, Resin Tomb etc) and mastered by Brad Boatwright (Corrosion Of Conformity, Devourment, Obituary etc) Decathexis possesses the perfect sound to enthral and destroy. Apocalyptic Witchcraft will unleash its formidable powers on April 17th and the band have shared their feelings about joining forces with the renowned European label.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Apocalyptic Witchcraft. Conor is committed to releasing unique and exciting underground bands. It’s humbling to be a part of such a strong roster.”
More about Hebephrenique at Imperative PR
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