DECAPITATED — Nihility (review)

DECAPITATED — Nihility album cover Album · 2002 · Technical Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Nihility" is the second full-length studio album by Polish death metal act Decapitated. The album was released through Earache Records in February 2002. It´s the successor to "Winds of Creation" from April 2000. "Nihility" was recorded in October 2001 at Hertz Studio, Białystok, Poland and produced by the band themselves. It features no lineup changes since the preceding album.

"Nihility" marks a change in the band´s sound towards a more technical death metal style although it still features old school death metal brutality and aestethics. The brutal growling vocals from Wojciech "Sauron" Wąsowicz are more aggressive and defined and the riffs are heavier, sharper, and packs quite a bit of punchy grooves, which is further enhanced by the heavy, busy, fast-paced, and technical drumming. Some of the chugging start/stop riffing which Decapitated would further develop on and excel in playing on later releases are introduced here. Tracks like "Spheres of Madness" and "Symmetry of Zero" for example feature some absolutely punishing brutal grooves and fast-paced heavy start/stop riffing.

This is a special album which succeeds in the rare thing of striking the perfect balance between being brutal and savage and being sophisticated and technical. So those who enjoy their death metal old school, dark, and grim can probably find something to like here, and those who prefer their death metal a bit more challenging and technical will certainly also be able to find a lot to enjoy here. It´s arguably the greatest asset of "Nihility" that it manages to sit between two chairs and still satisfy both camps.

"Nihility" features a heavy, sharp, detailed, and brutal sounding production, but I do have to mention the triggered bass drums...they have a pretty clicky and odd sounding, and although I´ve gotten used to it over the years, and they maybe even add a distinct sound to the album, they really aren´t that well produced. It´s however a minor issue on an otherwise very strong release and a 4 star (80%) rating is still well deserved.
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