Thursday, March 3, 2016

DECAYING - The Forgotten Conflict (2015)

War - A Malicious Half of Peace


Since I have listened to Decaying second album „The Last Days of War” that crushed my head, I became their fan. Well, nothing special in it at all, so purchasing the next title of this band was something natural I’d say. That’s true, I didn’t do it immediately in a day of release, yet “The Forgotten Conflict” is the first title in this year beside two tapes released by Till You Fukkin Bleed as well. Despite of almost 39 minutes, the stuff doesn’t deliver anything new in Finnish discography, but for me who didn’t know their very first demos, it’s just a great idea.  

Yep, Finns decided to exhume the old tracks, two of them from the first demo “New Order” and one coming from the debut album, the whole has been re-recorded and completed by two live shots. What about the impressions? Yeah, just great! Simply, these two oldies “The Aftermath” and “…to Decay” seem to be one of the best ones recorded by Decaying so far. The opener is really appalling thing not only if the lyrics are concerned, but due to musical form itself. These eleven minutes take a run slowly, hypnotizing the senses and showing tenebrious horrific visions of the war aftermath. Even if there can be found faster pace, Decaying doesn’t want to propose extra speed in structures, definitely doom dominates, and in such a way the last part of the song is maintained as well, leaving me just speechless. And “to… Decay” doesn’t vary in overall impression, maybe it has more catchy and memorable tunes. This pair is divided by “Conclusion” which is faster, more complex, in a great style known from “Encirclement” album, yet the progress of the band is easily audible.  

Musically it’s not a secret that Bolt Thrower and (newer) Asphyx is the key here. But from the other hand, I’m far to claim that the tape is a feckless copy, however one manner of Matias vocal line is very similar to the van Drunen’s performance. Yes, exactly, one manner, because Matias shows the second kind of vocals: good deep growling. And it works just fine for me.

The live side of the band is presented by “One to Conquer” and “The Ardennes Offensive”. With decent recording quality Decaying executes the old school death in a really good way. And what should be added on the end? The title is definitely worth of checking out, as no second of “The Forgotten Conflict” is useless. Just another great tape in my collection.      

80/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in March, 2016)

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