Mortification and Misery were the prime examples of the Australia’s underground death metal foundation which quickly rose to worldwide recognition in early 1991. And in response to U.S. underground death metal bands of the mid-nineties such as Suffocation, Deeds of Flesh, and Cannibal Corpse. Australia’s old fashioned death metal band Vile Apparition truly abides to the fundamentals of metal music. Spawned in 2017 and founded by bassists/guitarist and vocalist Jamie Colic who started this band as a project with the drummer Ollie Ballantyne. Shortly after the initiation this project evolved into a full band when the pairing members Dave Kearns the bassist and guitarist Dan Harris completed the formation. 

Vile Apparition is yet another embodiment of old school death metal. In the last few years we have witnessed the rise of many revolutionary bands that have been inspired by the legends of death metal. Bands like Gruesome, Skeletal Remains, and Outre Tombe. Relatively all of these bands have dedicated their stately homage to Floridian death metal bands. But we hadn’t yet witness an entity that masters the underground brutality of the NY (New York) old school style. Vile Apparition first album is a sensational record that can be comparable to the U.S. classical albums like Suffocation’s Effigy of the Forgotten, Deeds of Flesh’s early albums such as Path of the Weakening, and Cannibal Corpse’s album Butchered at Birth. Depravity Ordained was released by Memento Mori earlier this year. 

And with such class from the Australian four piece band shows how competent they can be. First of all the sound quality of the album production has a raw and unpolished sound. The snare drum on the album has that sonic aspect that recalls the classic albums which I’ve mentioned. In a modern age of stereotype bands there is no greater impetus than to revive the spirit and the authenticity of the classic death metal style. Though the aim here isn’t to emulate the ideals of the 90’s death metal. In fact the influence is highly exceeded by the inspirational motif of Vile Apparition which is to create true legitimacy. The album begins with Mauled and Nameless, followed by the album title track where the band evokes the memorable drum patterns of Suffocation “Effigy of the forgotten” era. The corrosive and technical guitar riffs are approached to create the 90’s effect with the deep growls. 

Vile Apparition have the ability to determine which of the technical compositions can fit into their style. Dissect to Enucleate, for example is a great track on the album which exemplifies the mentality behind the songwriting. Depravity Ordained features good amount of brutality and they’re generally circulate around the underground brutal death metal style of Florida and NY. The blast beats on Aeon of Impalement captures the sonic brutality of early Deeds of Flesh, the shredding guitar riffs and the soloing technique are skillfully executed. Even when it comes to extremity of the bludgeoning drums, Vile Apparition’s guitar riffs are somehow near to bands such as Suffocation and Cannibal Corpse. This is a true and solid dedication to the old school death metal.

Depravity Ordained is too good for a band who has just released their debut album.  The majority of the riffs are massively crushing. The great sense of authenticity and quality appears on the sixth track Malevolent Aphantasia. Where the Australian death metal band carry on with the down tuned guitar riffs and deep guttural growls.

The violent pummeling of the drums and the heaviness of the riffs adds that old school effect on Repulsive Desire. Personally the drum performance on the record supply the maximum dose of blast beats. Depravity Ordained is an excellent album where the four piece integrate the technicality of the old school combining them with solid brutality. This record is devoid of any modern embellishments. The musical work here revolves around the traditional U.S. death metal, as they meticulously employ the old school effects. This is yet one of the greatest episodes of the newer old school death metal bands in the death metal genre. Depravity Ordained is highly recommend for the conservative minds! 

Release Date: January 21st, 2019
Label: Memento Mori
Tracklist:

1. Mauled and Nameless
2. Depravity Ordained
3. Dissect to Enucleate
4. Aeon of Impalement
5. The Cursed Path
6. Malevolent Aphantasia
7. Repulsive Desire
8. The Gate
9. Window of the Grotesque
10. The Abyssal Plain (demo 2017)
11. Anatomized Remnants (demo 2017)
12. Atrocious Captivity (demo 2017)
13. Fearless Deity (demo 2017)