Vertiginous’s second release.
Two years after their debut album, the Indonesian duo Hendika Dwi Prasetyo (all instruments, Devouring Carnage, Putrescent, Spastic, Vile Desolation…) and Jossi Bima (vocals, Abhorrently, Dissanity, Invigorate, Perveration…) has signed with Comatose Music for their second album, Incessant Affliction.
The album kicks off with a bang with Suffering, Misery and Slaughtering and its Old School brutality, driven by a delicious snare blast beat, as well as thick riffs complemented by rich full-bodied vocals that enhance the whole, immediately capturing the attention of connoisseurs. The onslaught leads us, without any letup, to Tortured with Endless Despair, the next track with similar elements that offers a furious, jerky touch delivered at a brisk pace, then on to the devastating Mutilated with Anguishes, which takes over and, in turn, attacks with a wave of raw violence. There are a few interesting groovy passages, then the album continues with Chaotic in the Weakened Reason, which follows suit and mercilessly hammers us, not hesitating to slow down during the mosh parts to make the riffs heavier, before Engraved Loathing takes over and delivers an energetic rhythm section. Once again, palm-mutes and power chords come out to make us bang our heads, but we’ll notice a few dissonant harmonics and a much slower section before it explodes once more, then moves on to Uncertainty in Abstract Destiny, where the carnage resumes in full force, alternating its tempo for even more auditory intensity. A new assault begins with Crucified in Fate Hesitation, which doesn’t even give us time to catch our breath before unleashing a barrage of riffs that hammer away relentlessly, then quickly handing the baton off to Incubated Inquietude, which picks up the same elements as its predecessor to keep the pounding going. The sound fades and flares up repeatedly, creating an uncertain rhythm before leading into Restrained in Obscurity, which starts off with a rather dark tone but ultimately proves just as effective as its counterparts, before giving way to Unclear Misery, the final track that, unsurprisingly, remains steeped in its depths of brutality right up to the very end.
Unsurprisingly, Vertiginous delights in hitting us with perfectly mixed Old School Brutal Death Metal, offering half an hour of violence on Incessant Affliction. The album doesn’t revolutionize anything, but follows the blueprint of its predecessors to the letter.
80/100
