While there have been many death metal bands originating from Europe and the USA, this review highlights the rising Asian death metal act known as Mvltifission. Wearing the influences of Finnish old-school death metal on their sleeves ‘Decomposition in the Painful Metamorphosis‘ takes this primitive sound into their craft. The debut full length was released on March 15th via Huanagquan Records. The Chinese quintet consists of Gut (vocals), Gore Whore (drums), TormentoR (guitars), Purulentreek (guitar) and Skeleton Hell (bass guitar). Mvltifission doesn’t only display a grotesque blend of murky riffs, archaic atmosphere and aggression, the songs display an impressive technique as well. The seven tracks, including a cover song of Demilich, nourish on the old-school amalgamation of Finnish death metal.

The opening track ‘Vanishing the Mind till My Regurgitation‘ gives prominence to the lead guitars creating an otherworldly atmosphere. With these thrilling moments the band shows how intelligently their songs are crafted. The malformed distorted riffs are backed by sickening and ugly vocalization. Another peculiar characterization can be perceived by the gnarly riffs that add a bizarre morbid tone to the music. The songs are heavily textured with resonating riffs and lead guitars. Combining the core elements of bands like Demigod, Demilich and Purtenance, the churning riffs on the following track ‘Inner Perversity‘ rather grotesquely interconnect with the ancient tradition of putrid death metal. One could easily surmise that ‘Decomposition in the Painful Metamorphosis‘ was actually released back in the nineties.

The Chinese quintet offers many twisted riffs. The guitar arrangements were made to have that sense of sophistication. As complex as the songs are, Mvltifission takes an exceptional approach to death metal. The intricate song structure of “Mental-Cybernetic Proliferation (Drowning Phantasm)” comes close to the convoluted elements of Demilich. All these components make the album unique in its own alien fashion. As a matter of fact, the riffs on the album are quite original. The sound quality isn’t too muddy either. The instruments are clear, including the drums that transitions into many fast and slower moments. The doomy sections create a ghastly and hypnotic atmosphere that draws the listener into the dark realms of obscure death metal. 

Concerning the guitar work the riffs are organic whereas the rhythm guitars showcase excellent talent. Mvltifission manifests a perfect blend of aggression and brutality. ‘Egocentric Moral Dilemmas‘ builds on slow cavernous riffs with the focused drum convulsions and deep growls producing strange emanations. The slow uncanny pace of the drums and guitars creep towards the notions of old-school death/doom metal. ‘Decomposition in the Painful Metamorphosis‘ emphasizes atmosphere and innovation. The cover of Demilich‘s ‘Inherited Bowel Levitation – Reduced without Any Effort‘ is masterfully executed. While most of the album presents a variety of riffs, Mvltifission conveys diverse elements. Therefore, the debut album is coherently integrated.

Although it’s clear that the Chinese quintet pays a solemn tribute on the debut album, they have perfectly achieved a great sense of innovative songwriting. Most of the songs contain diverse tempos, but what matters here is that the band has conjured the archaic atmosphere of nineties death metal in its prime authentic sound. The quintet has brought their ideas to fruition. Many riffs on the song are brought with efficiency. Without accentuating a particular direction the songs somehow feel incredibly twisted. With the distinctive guitar melodies and the fast rumbling of the drums ‘Passage of Psychic Decomposition Part I‘ shifts to straightforward blast beats. The fast pace continues on the following track ‘Passage of Psychic Decomposition Part II‘, then abruptly shifts to the atmospheric spectrum. The guitars ooze the dark slow patterns of death/doom. Throughout the song structure the song progresses to a faster pace.

The distinct influences of Demigod on ‘Flow in the River of Decay‘ are clear. With minimal touches of synth the song works on heavy drum paces and atonal riffs with the tremolos adding intensity to the drum fill. The spooky segment of foreboding synth in the outro ‘The Ominous Blaze from Distant Wasteland‘ works as a ghostly closure. Mvltifission has remarkably possessed the fundamental and the odd quality of Finnish death metal. “Decomposition in the Painful Metamorphosis” is a must for fans of Demilich, Convulse and Demigod. 

Release Date: March 15th, 2021
Label: Huanagquan Records
Tracklist:

1. Vanishing The Mind till My Regurgitation
2. Inner Perversity
3. Mental-Cybernetic Proliferation (Drowning Phantasm)
4. Egocentric Moral Dilemmas
5. Inherited Bowel Levitation – Reduced Without Any Effort (Demilich Cover)
6. Passage of Psychic Decomposition Part I
7. Passage of Psychic Decomposition Part II
8. Flow in The River of Decay
9. The Ominous Blaze From Distant Wasteland