The rebirth of StabWounD is set for 2024.
Although formed in 2007, and two demos as well as an EP, it is this year that Jérémy (vocals), Yoann (drums), LB (guitar), Antoine (guitar) and Matthieu (bass) have chosen to unveil their debut album As Humanity Dies, in collaboration with France, Black, Death, Grind and Iron, Blood and Death Corporation.
The album kicks off with the ominous intro Dies Irae, which slowly progresses into darkness, joining some percussion then backing vocals, and finally Thorns, the first composition where we (re)discover the band’s raw influences. The riffs are solid and relatively aggressive, taking advantage of an Old School mix that makes them quite thick, just as on Devoured, where the Death/Thrash roots allow us to rediscover these points of bestiality. The bass sound is particularly oppressive in the break, but we sense that the band also allows itself more soaring touches on Filth, a track that can offer us an almost soothing sound as well as a sudden eruption of rage. Samples haunt the opening moments of As Humanity Dies, the eponymous track, which is more impressive but also much darker, borrowing its oppressive atmosphere from Death/Doom. A welcome acceleration revitalizes riffs, making them much more sustained, but the majestic approach resurfaces to lead us to Angel of Lust and its ungodly, airy Black/Death influences, which finally return to primitive power. A new wave of effective riffs with Slashed, a composition that makes no secret of its obvious and straightforward inspirations, before returning to more intriguing sounds on Steel Coffin, developing dissonance and intoxicating melodies. Halfway through the track, the rhythm once again intensifies, giving us a chance to shake our heads before Death Assembly in turn charges forward without restraint, once again daring to use Thrash touches to give their rhythm a savage beat. Cenotaph marks the end of the album, but not without offering us a final dose of sticky rage, as well as its two blazes.
Blending the American and Swedish scenes, StabWounD forge their identity in violence. The band may have suffered from a long hiatus, but As Humanity Dies has just put them back on track!
85/100