I originally planned this review to be my first video Critical Noise however an issue with the computer that has my audio/video software on it has set me back in making videos for Critical Madness. However that won’t stop the madness! Instead of letting the review go to waste, it made sense to compromise with a good old-fashioned write-up.
I was looking for some new music to review at the time, and it wasn’t long after Dutch death metal legends Asphyx released their 10th studio LP - Necroceros. I love a good dose of death and though I’d given Asphyx classics The Rack and Last One on Earth a few listens in the past, I’d never given the band my full attention. With the release of Necroceros, I figured that’s something I ought to change! Asphyx have consistently released crushingly brutal death/doom throughout their career and it appears that the trend is set to continue in their latest release.
Necroceros opens with “The Sole Cure is Death” which immediately sets the tone. All of the Asphyx hallmarks are present - the scuzzy crushing guitar tone, the pounding rhythm section and the throat-shredding vocals. Going through the album there’s a lot of pace changes from the brutal thrashing of “Botox Implosion” to the swinging grooves in “Yield or Die”, to the slow chugging riffs throughout the album. There’s lots of cool melodically-tinged moments in the songs giving almost melodic black and melodic death metal feels in songs such as “Mount Skull” and the title track.
The riffs overall are quite simple and straightforward, which Asphyx expertly create variations of in songs such as “The Nameless Elite”. Subtle changes in the rhythms throughout Necroceros, like shifting the kick drum pattern beneath the riffs also keeps things interesting. Standout moments come in the epic feel of the doomiest track on the album, “Three Years of Famine”, with it’s acoustic moment and big melodies among the sludgy riffing. Another comes in “Necroceros” which has cool ideas building on top of the opening rhythm patterns.
Overall Asphyx’s Necroceros is a solid album from the death metal legends. Their distinct sound is heavier than ever, standing out among the death metal hordes. The music is hooky and brutal with cool little moments like the use of melody and acoustic guitars to break up the heavy sound. The only critique is that the album can feel a little long at times, with the straightforward slower riffing blending into each other between songs. Other than that slight gripe, Necroceros is another killer Asphyx album that’s certain to continue their crusade to crush skulls.
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