INFESTER — To the Depths, in Degradation (review)

INFESTER — To the Depths, in Degradation album cover Album · 1994 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"To the Depths, In Degradation" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Seattle, Washington based death metal act Infester. The album was released through Moribund Records in December 1994. Infester formed in 1991 under the Threnodist monicker but changed to the current one in 1992. They released the "Darkness Unveiled" in late 1992. Two of the tracks from the demo was released as the "Darkness Unveiled" 7" vinyl single in February 1993. "To the Depths, In Degradation" is the band´s sole full-length release.

Only "Clouding of Consciousness" from the demo has been re-recorded and included on "To the Depths, In Degradation". The remaining tracks are new original compositions. Stylistically the material on "To the Depths, In Degradation" pretty much continues the rhythmically varied old school death metal style of "Darkness Unveiled". Infester play both fast-paced, mid-paced, and slow parts, and even occasionally add some morbid atmospheric keyboards to their music. This is generally a pretty harsh, energitic, and brutal old school death metal release, and the growling vocals are distorted and completely unintelligible. The growling vocals are spiced up with some higher pitched screaming vocals.

There´s a feeling at all times while listening to "To the Depths, In Degradation" that everything barely holds together...a feeling of unhinged madness and chaos, but somehow Infester manage to come out on top and deliver a filthy, gloomy, and brutal assault on the ears of the listener. This album pretty much sums up everything old school death metal is about. A complete disregard for regular vers/chorus structures, a gritty, brutal, and morbid atmospheric approach to composing death metal, and vocals delivered right from the abysmal depths of hell. This truly sounds demonic.

The sound production is filthy, raw, and gritty. It´s not a particularly professional sounding release and there´s something wrong with the volume levels on the instruments. The guitars and the distorted bass are placed low in the mix while the vocals and the drums are placed pretty high. It´s this rather odd sounding production which brings a lot of the darkness and gloom to the recording though and provides "To the Depths, In Degradation" with old school death metal credibility money couldn´t buy.

Upon conclusion "To the Depths, In Degradation" is a good quality debut album from Infester and fans of the most gritty, raw, and cavernous old school death metal should find a lot to appreciate here. Incantation (spiced up with a little bit of early Suffocation) isn´t the worst reference if you need one. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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