Inhuman Condition executes its new plan.
Two years after their last EP, the band led by Terry Butler (bass, Obituary, Left to Die, ex-Death, ex-Six Feet Under), Taylor Nordberg (guitar/vocals, Deicide, Goregäng, Ribspreader) and Jeramie Kling (drums, Ribspreader, Eye of Purgatory, The Absence, ex-Venom Inc…, ex-Ex Deo) is collaborating with High Roller Records and Listenable Insanity Records for the release of its third album, Mind Trap.
The album kicks off immediately with Severely Lifeless, which offers groovy, catchy riffs accompanied by solid vocals, allowing the band to get our necks moving right away, while also placing a few piercing leads here and there. Their Old School influences’ strength is easily felt, ultimately accelerating on Face For Later, becoming very jerky while remaining somewhere between heavy Death Metal and sharp Thrash, all tied together by very effective drumming. Next up is GodShip, which is quite heavy, allowing the harmonics to emerge from the thick rhythm that likes to accelerate without warning, then The Betterment Plan offers us a very short moment of respite before launching its first rousing assault. The track remains fairly consistent in its aggressiveness, then Mind – Tool – Weapon takes off again with a rather dissonant and disturbing approach, followed by the usual blazes that punctuate its waves of rage and carry us towards Chaos Engine, where we find raw jerks for even more liveliness. The track has a nostalgic feel of the early 90s, but the mix magnifies it, giving it a striking force that matches its ambitions before plunging us into anxiety during the mysterious introduction to Recollections Of The Future, before once again picking up speed. Although they have reached their cruising speed, the musicians offer us an even more virulent section before hitting us again to guide us towards Obscurer, which is quite heady in certain passages and even features some fairly accessible grooves. A few more elaborate elements reinforce the composition, then it is with fairly simple but lively heavy influences that Science Of Discontent closes the album, igniting at will and placing its leads in such a way as to maximize the violence.
Although a little short, Mind Trap allows Inhuman Condition to get back in the game with a collection of well-crafted, aggressive Old School riffs that we love, and which are sure to resonate this summer!
85/100