(c) Peter Beste
Why just do it when you can stretch everything out almost beyond recognition? For Vitriol-Mastermind Kyle Rasmussen there are no shortcuts. Instead, he pushed himself further and further, often pushing the boundaries of what was possible, to record a follow-up to “To Bathe From The Throat Of Cowardice”. The title of the second album fits like a glove for the brutal, more blackened than ever Death Metal and the musicians’ ability to suffer: „Suffer & Become“.
The fact that “Shame And Its Afterbirth”, the longest track on this record (well over six minutes), is right at the beginning fits into the picture. Not only vitriol want to suffer, the interested listener also has to go beyond his own limits. This goes well with the long intro with psychological terror, which ultimately develops into a hellish descent. Rasmussen and bassist Adam Roethlisberger throw the elements of elemental force at each other, the drums are beaten with increasing enthusiasm, and yet the US band keeps hinting at small melodic approaches. There are remnants of the broken intro and harbingers of the expansive solo – hope sounds different.
After this monumental start, there is of course no room for mercy. “Flood Of Predation”, the only track (barely) under four minutes, hits the door straight into the house and immediately attacks boldly – drooling, head-on, unyielding. When “I Am Every Enemy” repeatedly retreats into at least hinted at mid-tempo passages and unleashes apocalyptic violence, everything is vain – as in the oppressive, grueling “The Flowers Of Sadism”. More than ever, Vitriol lets their closeness to blackened death sounds shine through, surrounded by small explosions. The leaden, deep black appearance is very good.
Once again, absolute breathlessness reigns when vitriol hits. In fact, “Suffer & Become” manages to come across as a bit more brutal and aloof, without sacrificing that certain Blackened heaviness that makes an exciting, welcome promise for the future. In these moments, the U.S. formation apocalyptically dismantles everything in its path, leading the way to inevitable doom… only to break speed records the next moment. The ability to suffer is mandatory for this album, with which Vitriol should finally establish themselves.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: January 26, 2024
Available via: Century Media (Sony Music)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/vitriolwarfare
Category: Magazin, Reviews