Review by Alex on May 2, 2018.

Stillborn’s Crave For Killing is hate-filled black/death metal that sounds highly influenced by 1st wave black metal and old school death metal. There is some likeness to Bathory’s 1984 self-titled album (production wise) and also can be slightly compared to early Morbid Angel (Covenant era) in the vocal department. Stillborn’s Crave for Killing features frantic guitar solos, quick blast beats mixed with death metal vocals and sharp black metal barks backed up by a simple production, that is in no way detrimental to the album. Not that I would really care given the fact black/death metal has never been synonymous with anything approachable, particularly sound-wise. 

Songs like "Crave For Killing” display the vicious underbelly of what Stillborn is capable of unleashing. With vocals sounding like scornful snarls matched with a murderous maiming of the drum kit, the listener gets the message clearly that this bunch of misanthropes really hate the right-hand path religions and their followers. 

The guitar work sounds like a pack of wild animals had been set free in some suburban area of the world. The riffs roll across the record reeking unapologetic havoc in its unholy conquest. The bass is very low in the mix but provides enough force to add a heavier layer to the tin sounding snare drum. One can even compare the sound of the drum kit and even the overall sound of the album to ‘At the Announcement’ and ‘The Communion’ which was released by Chile’s Communion in August of 2017. 

The final track "Staroświeckość we mnie jest" is the totality of damage the way Stillborn understands it. It pours out the last molecules of unfiltered repugnance during its 6-minute assault on the holy. Should I have to pick any favorite tracks on the album I would select and recommend ‘Crave for Killing’, ‘To Be’ and 'Staroświeckość we mnie jest' which perfectly represents and fuel the artwork.

There seems to be a reemergence of the 1st wave of black metal. More bands are beginning to return to the days of the elder goat, when black metal was simplistic, purposeful, exclusively underground and walked the straight left-hand path where concept and ideology are concerned. There has also been an influenza of the ancients circulating within the underground for quite awhile (not that it ever went away), but has certainly seen more prominence since vinyl sales have spiked and become “the thing” again.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 1, 2014.

I guess I have to get used to be expecting the unexpected from French Psygnosis. I really just started getting into their 2013 EP "Sublimation" with its very atmospheric and emotional aura to be really kicked in my behind with new full-length "Human Be[ing]". Well, with songs spanning on average over 10 minutes it's not all full death metal assault here but don't expect hugging your puppy while listening to this either.

In short 2014 Psygnosis is less industrial, less melancholic and more pissed off. First track, except opening and ending with clean guitars, rips through the speakers with blasts and growls like there's no tomorrow, 'Resurrection' has more Gojira style to it with a progressive touch and even clean vocals are delivered here over blastbeats. Finally 'Lost In Oblivion' gives us some breathing room with eerie landscapes over spoken words and with mostly slow to mid tempos but don't close your eyes just yet cause every couple minutes you'll get slapped in your face. 'SilƎnt' doesn't start that silent either… you get the picture. Psygnosis just does whatever they feel like and however they feel like but it all works out at the end and it's not just genre mixing for sake of mixing, you can sense real passion and conviction in their work. There are no music boundaries or styles they won't try to deliver the message, and I love it.

This music might not be for everyone but if you're open minded and not afraid to venture outside genre's limits give them a try, you won't regret it and I'm not talking about just "Human Be[ing]" here. Listen to their last few releases and you'll find something different in each one of them.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 10 (this is based on the whole catalog not just this release)
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 1, 2014.

I guess I have to get used to be expecting the unexpected from French Psygnosis. I really just started getting into their 2013 EP "Sublimation" with its very atmospheric and emotional aura to be really kicked in my behind with new full-length "Human Be[ing]". Well, with songs spanning on average over 10 minutes it's not all full death metal assault here but don't expect hugging your puppy while listening to this either.

In short 2014 Psygnosis is less industrial, less melancholic and more pissed off. First track, except opening and ending with clean guitars, rips through the speakers with blasts and growls like there's no tomorrow, 'Resurrection' has more Gojira style to it with a progressive touch and even clean vocals are delivered here over blastbeats. Finally 'Lost In Oblivion' gives us some breathing room with eerie landscapes over spoken words and with mostly slow to mid tempos but don't close your eyes just yet cause every couple minutes you'll get slapped in your face. 'SilƎnt' doesn't start that silent either… you get the picture. Psygnosis just does whatever they feel like and however they feel like but it all works out at the end and it's not just genre mixing for sake of mixing, you can sense real passion and conviction in their work. There are no music boundaries or styles they won't try to deliver the message, and I love it.

This music might not be for everyone but if you're open minded and not afraid to venture outside genre's limits give them a try, you won't regret it and I'm not talking about just "Human Be[ing]" here. Listen to their last few releases and you'll find something different in each one of them.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 10 (this is based on the whole catalog not just this release)
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.6 out of 10