I will not deny that the first thing that attracted me to Malthusian “The Summoning Bell” was the name of the band. First of all, because, as an economist, I am one of the persons that support Malthus’s ideas about population. To some extent, I do believe there are more than enough people on this sad and lonely and pathetic little planet. Of course, I do not agree with his excesses. However, regarding to the bands’ beliefs on Malthus, I could not get from the press release or other material if the band professes its beliefs on his ideas.
Interestingly, Malthusian were born from a mix of Doom Metal and Brutal Death Metal influences. Apparently, it is one thing that this album “The Summoning Bell” makes very clear. Listening to “Between Dens and Ruins” my dear child of the night will realize how the band is true about their professions on the bounces and intentions of speed in its music. After reading the band’s info, I guess speed is the pièce de résistance of the band from the way they bounce from a very slow almost cathartic to the speed of light in a blink of an eye. Based on this, I have to give my best regards to drummer JK for his impressive ability with the kit. Pay close attention to his improvisations within the very doomy “Amongst the Swarms of Vermin.” You will have to agree that the dude is very skilled with his blast beats and the endless pummels he punches his kit.
Regarding the guitars, I really liked the dissonances and the almost atonal intent MB and TMK gave them. Maybe, without the intent or not, that I do not know, the band tried to border the limits of Technical Death Metal and did it with dark colors – I guess with flying colors does not sound well to a Death Metal band. The churns of the guitars give the fans the impression of having their heads relentlessly hit into something very hard. That’s another feature of Technical Death Metal that Malthusian willingly and enthusiastically adopted. In psychological terms, the impression is of a big oppresion and overkill that reinforces the Brutal Death Metal intent. “Red, Waiting” is a good example. In music, sometimes the intent impresses more than the very real thing. Very interesting guitar work, but I miss, though, the guitar leads. From where I am standing, they should be more plentiful. Ok, it is just my bloodlust for guitar solos.
“The Summoning Bell” is an album for the fans who like bands that differ their approach to speed as it delivers a truckload of them. Fans who are into more modern approaches will also love this album because it delivers many top notch solutions under the belt of Death Metal.
Malthusian “The Summoning Bell” was released on August 08th via Relapse Records.
Track Listing:
1. Isolation
2. Red, Waiting
3. Between Dens and Ruins
4. The Summoning Bell
5. The Onset of the Death of Man
6. Eroded Into Superstition
7. Amongst the Swarms of Vermin
8. In Chaos
9. Exult
Watch “The Summoning Bell” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!