The Japanese purveyors of brutality Defiled are back once again to show what is the true “Horror Beyond Horror”.
Formed in 1992 and still one of the leading bands within the death metal scene in Japan, Defiled smashed onto the underground with their blend of technical thrash & old school death metal.
The band’s last album, 2023s, “The Highest Level”, was one of the best releases within the death metal underground. Now, with a quick follow-up, “Horror Beyond Horror” is another slab of elite death metal in an already phenomenal discography.
The opening track, “Smoke and Mirrors”, is a full-on assault on the senses right from the start. Blasting drums from Keisuke Hamada pound you in the chest, followed by a tight & furious guitar riff. The track’s tempo changes up nicely to blasting sections but also a groovy section where guitarist Yusuke Sumita is given a moment to give us some solo whammy work that gives the track a nice texture. A true blaster for an opener, that’s sure.
“Syndicate” begins with a great Obituary style chugging open riff before putting the pedal to metal & bringing a moment of breakneck speed.
The track’s main riff has that Florida death metal style groove, but they bring back that fast blasting section enough to keep the song interesting & diverse.
Showcasing again Keisuke Hamada’s superb drumming style “Trojan Horse” and its double bass open section is flawless. His drum performance is raw & primal. Just like Defiled’s style & within other releases, they have always done things their way. Keeping the recording old school, with no thrills & just pure sonic violence, is why Defiled will always be a great different shade of death metal & carve out their sound.
As we reach the end of the album, the band have no sign of letting up.
“The Chains” is my stand-out on the album. All the perfect elements make this track great. The lyrics & vocal approach from Shinichiro Hamada keeps the track catchy & quickly memorable. The thick, tasty riffing from both Shinichiro & Yusuke make this the most devastating on the album. It has its technical & dissonant sections, but with some great chunky chugging, this track is true savageness.
Defiled have always done what they want. They created their style & have stuck to their guns. Creating a diverse sound which has left them with a top-notch discography & highest legacy. And “Horror Beyond Horror” is another album that gives you everything you love about death metal. Be it some of the craziest psycho-blast beats, groove-heavy riffs or kilter moments of pure lunacy. Defiled can not be stopped!
Review: Joseph Mitchell
Horror Beyond Horror is out via Season of Mist on 20th September 2024
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Lineup:
Shinichiro Hamada – Vocals, Guitar
Yusuke Sumita – Guitar
Takachika Nakajima – Bass
Keisuke Hamada – Drums
Recording Studio:
Studio Zot, Tokyo, Japan
Production Credits:
Sound Engineers – Shinichiro Hamada & Keisuke Hamada
Produced by Yusuke Sumita
Mixed & Mastered by Kenji Kikuchi at Studio Nest, Chiba, Japan
Biography:
Defiled, with edits by Sébastien Gamez
Cover Art:
Wes Benscoter
Photographer:
Shigenori Ishikawa
Pre-save & Pre-order: https://orcd.co/
Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12″ Vinyl Colored (Crystal Clear & Transparent Green)
Follow Defiled:
Website: http://www.defiled.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Bandcamp: https://defiledjapan.bandcamp.
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/defiled
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/