Review by Fernando on April 26, 2021.

The last decade brought a lot of changes to black metal. One major trend that spawned off the polarizing “blackgaze” style is bands embracing a more punk direction, or going into more atmospheric routes. However, today we have an interesting case with the Swedish band Dödsrit, who are releasing their third album Mortal Coil through Wolves Of Hades Records. While a relative new name, the band has steadily been making themselves known. Starting out as a solo project, the first two records released displayed a unique blend of blackened crust punk with atmospheric black metal, and with their 2018 sophomore they really caught a lot of people’s attention. Three years later in 2021 for album #3, the band have seemingly taken a different direction while refining their now signature tendencies.

In terms of music Mortal Coil is much more melodic than the previous two records and with a melancholic tinge and epic atmosphere in some areas reminiscent of Dissection and Immortal. For example, in the first two tracks (particularly the second track 'Shallow Graves') music heavily features guitar driven riffs that are equally sorrowful and have a grand scope, with fast and aggressive blast beats and double bass drumming, and harsh and dry screeching vocals, all of which is accomplished through the performance of the band as a quartet. Unlike the first two records which were done solo style by band founder Christoffer Öster, he has now assembled a new lineup, and the difference is noticeable from the get go and in the deeper cuts. That being said, Mortal Coil is noticeably more “blackened” than the band’s previous work, and in some places it worked out for the better. For example the title track with its face-melting solo, the punk influence hasn’t been discarded or superseded by the more “atmo-black” style and it starts out like a pure black metal epic where after the already mentioned guitar solo it goes full blackened D-beat for the rest of the track and it seamlessly keeps the more blackened guitarwork, which is impressive in it of itself. That same blending of black metal and punk applies for the closing track 'Apathetic Tongues'.

With all that said, while Dödsrit switching from a solo project to a full band had a significant change with excellent results, that change of direction also caused something of a tradeoff in the band’s style. If you play the band’s discography the change in sound and style of their first two records and this one is extremely noticeable, as the more blackened direction and presence of a full lineup somewhat took away the band’s uniqueness. Make no mistake though, this is still an excellent record and the new direction breathed new life into the band, and like I said, none of the familiarity is completely gone, but it’s very clear Dödsrit in 2021 is a much different entity than what it was in 2018 and 2017.

Overall Dödsrit were successful in their sonic change of direction, even if some of its more unique elements were minimized. Mortal Coil as a whole is a worthy follow-up for this band as they enter a new chapter in their musical journey.

Best tracks: 'Shallow Graves', 'Mortal Coil'

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by Michael on April 11, 2021.

To go into the history of Massacre would go beyond the scope of this review and probably end up in a death metal soap opera. So, let's leave that at this point and note that with Inhuman Condition, named after Massacre's 1992 EP, a quasi-successor band is at the start and Rat God will be their debut album, which will be released on June 4 via Listenable Insanity Records on CD (and on August 6 on Black Serpent Records on vinyl). On board are: Massacre founding member Terry Butler (also Obituary, ex-Death, among others), Jeramie Kling (Venom Inc., Goregäng, The Absence) and Taylor Nordberg (Goregäng, The Absence). In addition, Rick Rozz (Ex-Massacre, Ex-Death) contributed a few guitar solos and Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse) lyrics and a few vocal parts on the title track.

Musically, Inhuman Condition offer solid death metal, often reminiscent of the aforementioned Massacre or even older Death from the "Leprosy" / "Spiritual Healing" era and the vocals let memories of "From Beyond" awake in parts. While the first two songs are rippling still a bit they are over pretty quickly but then 'Planetary Paroxysm' offers a Death-like riff as an introduction and the song quickly turns into a pretty casual mid-tempo stomper, which is repeatedly interrupted by fast riffs. 'Killing Pace' is one of the highlights of the album. This is a pretty cool groovy song that is very catchy and strongly reminiscent of Massacre. 'Tyrantula' starts with an almost shamanic intro, spreads a threatening atmosphere but picks up speed in the course of the song and offers the listener some pretty sick guitar solos. 'Rat God' is again a mid-tempo stomper, which could also have been on "From Beyond". Paul Mazurkiewicz has contributed few guest vocals here as already mentioned. Also the last two tracks offer solid fare, some Death here, some Massacre there, also worth listening to.

Production-wise there is nothing to complain about on Rat God. Every instrument sounds clean and the vocals punchy, just the way a good death metal record should sound.

The cover, which was designed by Dan Goldsworthy (Accept, Cradle of Filth, Xentrix), also deserves a positive mention. It is very detailed and lovingly designed and will be certainly a pretty cool eye-catcher as a LP!

In my opinion, Inhuman Condition have managed to create a quite impressive debut, which cannot necessarily take on Massacre's "From Beyond", but is still a lot better than the rather bland 2014 "Back From Beyond". Rat God could well be a contender for the top 10 albums of 2021!

Rating: 9.1 out of 10 rats