Perversity - Spiritual Negation

Perversity is a death metal band from Slovakia, formed in 1995. Known for their brutal and aggressive sound, they blend elements of old-school death metal with technical and dark atmospheres. Their music features heavy, down-tuned riffs, relentless drumming, and deep, guttural vocals. Over the years, they have garnered a loyal underground following with albums like “In The Garment Of Lust”, “Beyond The Reach Of Heaven”, “Ablaze” and “Idolatry”. Perversity's lyrics often explore themes of death, suffering, anti-religion, blasphemy, occultism and existential dread, making them a notable force in the Slovak extreme metal scene.

The new album by veterans Perversity “Spiritual Negation” by label Great Dane Records, this is their sixth album, and some demos must also be added. “Spiritual Negation” is a work of powerful death metal with impious lyrics, in the line, especially vocal line, of bands like Deicide, and musically it can reminds bands like , especially, Immolation, Deicide again, Zyklon or Sinister, maybe you can give an idea of what is inside.

The line up is Jozef Košč-Guitars, Vocals and founder member, Juraj Handzuš-Vocals, Martin "Fetus" Calko-Guitars (2013-present), Marek Baran-Drums and Patrik "Paddy" Biľ -Bass, everyone except Juraj are also in the grindcore band Constipation.

“Spiritual Negation” is an album of pure death metal, fluid, unambiguous, it is hard, it is direct, the string riffs achieve a funereal and disturbing atmosphere at times, other times twisted and malevolent and other times simply brutal and aggressive, because that's how it should be death metal. All this guided by a destruction machine as powerful drums, giving each episode its appropriate march, fast, heavy ... and the voice, as I have told you, very close to Benton's voice in Deicide, but with the particular touch of Perversity.

It starts with the intro “Feasting”, and after some dark sounds “The Mouth Of Abyzou”, with a raw guitar sound, and unstoppable power throughout the album, and we already notice the influence of Immolation. “Patron of hate” direct, fast, pure brutality, also with Immolation style touches, the melodic riff even has its black touch. “Your flesh is my temple” follows the brutal line, but with some more rhythmic details. “Spiritual Negation” is hypnotic, haunting, with whispered vocals, and in the moment of brutality it is forceful. “Venom Divine”, pure brutality, this band in live is sure to be a whirlwind, there is no rest, it breaks necks completely, “Wrath Manifest” in this case a slower song but at the same time heavy and crushing at the beginning, without losing its fast part later. “Exaltation Of The Morningstar”, a slower song, with dark arpeggios, reminds me of Belphegor, alternating speed and arpeggios. “Fate weaver” has a very characteristic riff that the entire band later follows powerfully, with its line of brutality and forcefulness. “Epitome of diabolization” here, in addition to the IMMOLATION influence, we have to add some female voices that give it a ritual atmosphere, and those sharp riffs that will make you hear it again, one of the best songs on the album.

As a summary, a powerful and good album of brutal death metal from an old band that gives us good work. raw and brutal sound. good musicians, very good solos, good and appropriate artwork by Janka Varadyova. Recorded, mixed and mastered in Martin Barla Studio, in Poprad between June and November 2023.

4 / 5 STARS