Review Summary: Integrity's "Humanity Is The Devil" matches the raw and aggressive power of their debut album while adding greater metal influences and throttling up the speed. An essential metalcore release.
Integrity is the band that perfected metalcore. A bold statement, but it's substantiated by the fact that no modern metalcore band has matched the raw passion of the music written by Integrity. Riffs that carry the momentum of a freight train, blistering solos, and tortured screams are all essential to the apocalyptic atmosphere that Integrity generates with their innovative blend of hardcore and metal.
The album starts off strong with "Vocal Test." Its catchy mid-paced riff helps to ease virgin ears into the chaos that ensues with the next four tracks. Beginning with "Hollow," Integrity slams on the gas pedal and rarely eases up through "Abraxas Annihilation." This is some of the most punishing metalcore ever released, and it was crafted before anybody else.
However, Integrity does understands the necessity of tempo changes. The bass fills at the beginning of "Psychological Warfare" and the breakdown at the end of "Trapped Under Silence" are excellent examples of the varied and unique song structures that make this record stand out. Don't be fooled though; the slower and mid-paced sections are still very heavy and are placed to build up to the next thrashy riff, rather than just to offer relief. However, the most outstanding achievement of this album is "Jagged Visions of My True Destiny." Everything that metalcore should be is contained in this song; epic melodies, heavy riffs, emotive shouted vocals, and a perfectly placed solo. The song structure is one of the greatest I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.
Unfortunately, the final two tracks are essentially throwaways. They contain little songwriting, instead consisting of pointless vocal samples and silence. It's too bad that the album had to end so terribly, as the first 15 minutes are nearly immaculate. Thankfully, these two tracks can simply be ignored. Their presence is not too bothersome due to the incredible nature of the first six tracks, and they can be easily deleted anyways.
If you have any desire for a faithful blend of metal and hardcore music, get this record immediately. Not since this record has any metalcore band achieved the brutal intensity and apocalyptic atmosphere contained in Integrity's musical vision.
Recommended tracks:
Tracks 1 through 6
