Rating: 9/10
A fearless dive into the chaotic depths of technical death metal mastery.
Defeated Sanity’s Chronicles of Lunacy is the band’s unapologetic 2024 return to technical death metal mayhem. With a razor-sharp production and unwavering adherence to their roots, this album solidifies their standing as elder statesmen of the genre while pushing their chaotic compositions to new levels of complexity.
Crystal Clear Chaos
From the outset, the album dazzles with its pristine production, offering clarity that allows every blast beat, bass groove, and guttural growl to shine. Lille Gruber’s drumming is an absolute masterclass in controlled chaos, pairing flawlessly with Jacob Schmidt’s intricate bass rhythms. Tracks like “Accelerating The Rot” are a testament to the band’s technical prowess, delivering bone-rattling blast beats while maintaining an undercurrent of raw brutality.
Vocals That Cut Through the Madness
Josh Welshman’s vocal performance is a brutal highlight. Free from overproduction, his gutturals and growls embody the raw essence of death metal. Whether delivering relentless ferocity on tracks like “The Odour of Sanctity” or complementing slower grooves on “A Patriarchy Perverse,” his voice is both versatile and captivating.
Groove Amidst the Lunacy
While technical death metal can often feel overwhelming, Defeated Sanity masterfully balances the chaos with moments of groove. Tracks like “The Odour of Sanctity” feature short but impactful squealing guitar licks and well-placed breakdowns, making them stand out as replay-worthy highlights. The slower, crushing grooves of “A Patriarchy Perverse” offer a reprieve from the onslaught, adding depth and dynamics to the album’s overall flow.
Maintaining the Death Metal Legacy
As a band ranking 18th on Headbang Today’s Death Metal Charts, Defeated Sanity proves they’ve earned their elder status in the genre. Chronicles of Lunacy doesn’t deviate far from their established formula, but it doesn’t need to. The album stays true to the genre’s essence, providing an engaging, if not emotionally resonant, listening experience for diehard fans.
Verdict
Defeated Sanity’s Chronicles of Lunacy is a technically masterful death metal album that has our respect. While its relentless chaos might challenge casual listeners, fans of the genre will appreciate the balance between technicality and groove. With crystal-clear production, brutal vocals, and standout tracks, this album showcases why Defeated Sanity remains a pillar of death metal after three decades.
For Fans Of: Suffocation, Cryptopsy, Nile
Must-Hear Tracks: “The Odour of Sanctity,” “A Patriarchy Perverse,” “Accelerating The Rot.”
Lille Gruber proves that even after all these years, he’s still capable of delivering sheer lunacy—and doing it with surgical precision.
Own It
Chronicles of Lunacy
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