Review Summary: Slimy, sludgy, maniacal, Incantation.
These days, death metal is a difficult genre to stand out in. Unless you’re already as established as a band like Cannibal Corpse, something more is needed to be highly regarded rather than just playing fast and growling low. Maybe this is why New York death metal band, Incantation, decided to slow things down a bit. Granted, they’ve been doing this since the early 90s, but the style that they’ve continued to perfect throughout their monstrous ~30 year career still manages to stand out in today’s increasingly over-saturated world of heavy music.
Profane Nexus is a refreshing journey that showcases some of the grimiest, slimiest, and most menacing aspects our world has to offer.
Right away, Incantation establish their muddily vicious tone for this record. Opening track, “Muse”, begins with a sludgy section which then flows smoothly into the fast driving beat that continues throughout the rest of the song. The band doesn’t venture too far out of this formula, but it’s what is sprinkled into the mix that makes it way more worthy of listening to. Incantation manage to keep their signature sound interesting with catchy riffs and slightly unconventional aspects. Tracks like “Rites of the Locust” and “The Horns of Gefrin” showcase the band’s strong ability to pull off frantic, but catchy tremolo riffing. The former, as well as “Lus Sepulcuri” stand out, as they prove to be a testament to Incantation’s well established songwriting ability. The aforementioned track’s intro riff, as well as “Omens to the Altar of Onyx” have a surprisingly groove oriented feel that stands out, but is able to find its place in the madness. The couplet of tracks “Incorporeal Despair” and “Xipe Totec” explicitly display the band’s skill in contrasting atmospheres. The former is a three and a half minute trek through quicksand, and as soon as you can escape, the maniacal latter track sends you tumbling down a mountain for barely over one minute.
Profane Nexus, in all of its atmospheres and tempos, does not let up whatsoever
Once again Incantation have proven that they are the at the forefront of the death-doom subculture, and that anyone standing in their path will be demolished. Again, this album, even in its slow sections, does NOT hold back. Incantation have a knack for being able to kick you in the balls with every thick note played on the guitar, whether the song be fast, slow, or any mid-tempo. Incantation have written an experience front to back. With
Profane Nexus, Incantation aren’t looking to get the next big single on Sirius XM Liquid Metal or anything of that nature. Instead, this record as a whole feels as if it is dragging you along on a 40 minute tour of a murky cave, and leaving you to fend for yourself at the worst possible moment, but in a good way.
