One of the most anticipated extreme metal releases of the year is upon us, Diminishing Between Worlds by technical death metal powerhouse Decrepit Birth. Somewhat along the lines of Death, Suffocation, Origin, Nile, Necrophagist, Beneath the Massacre, Atheist, Pestilence, Immolation, Cynic, Gorguts, and Brain Drill, Decrepit Birth combine utterly complex guitar and drum arrangements with growling vocals and a surprising amount of melody, making for a whirlwind sound that never relents and captures the listener in their tornado of chaos. Drummer KC Howard is a monster player, and Matt Sotelo, who plays all guitars, bass, and keyboards on the CD, is equally as impressive. Lead vocals are handled by growler Bill Robinson, who sounds somewhat like a cross between the late Chuck Shuldiner (Death) and Karl Sanders (Nile). Crazy, acrobatic guitar pyrotechnics litter tracks like "Reflection of Emotions" and the title track, but as complex as it all is Sotelo is a marvelously melodic player, so the non-stop barrage of riff-o-rama and blinding leads are always pleasing to the ear. Check out his nimble runs on the intro to the pulverizing "Dimensions Intertwine", which are quite amazing, as he gives way to jackhammer blast beats and deep growls on a tune that is just manic in its intensity level. Elsewhere, you get the proggy instrumentals "The Enigmatic Form" and "The Morpheus Oracle", both possible indications of where this talented band might be going in the future, as they drop in plenty of jazzy interludes and progressive rock atmosphere on these. Let's not forget though that this is a death metal album, and massive cuts like "Await the Unending" and "Essence of Creation" remind you of just how extreme and epic these guys can get. In fact, they come pretty damn close to reaching the epic scope of Nile on some of these tunes, and it's pretty breathtaking when it happens.
In short, this is essential listening if you are a fan of progressive extreme metal, and proof of a band that is on the cusp of greatness.
Track Listing
1. The Living Doorway
2. Reflection of Emotions
3. Diminishing Between Worlds
4. Dimensions Intertwine
5. The Enigmatic Form
6. A Gathering of Imaginations
7. Await the Unending
8. Through Alchemy Bound Eternal
9. And Time Begins
10. Essence of Creation
11. The Morpheus Oracle
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