When Defeated Sanity release a new album, it's always cause for attention. Not only have they been an established band since 1994, but their limited releases spread out over years build a frustrated anticipation. Part of this is because I have yet to hear something that I do not enjoy from the band, and the other reason is a fault in my own impatient personality.
What makes Defeated Sanity such a desired band in the metal world? After all, they continue to release brutal death metal, an alternative subgenre for the truly twisted and debaucherous mass of souls who need some fresh gore in their lives. Part of the draw can be found beneath all the gibberish blast beats and inaudible vocals where lies a musical foundation that is difficult to ignore.
For this 2016 release, Defeated Sanity has graced us with a split with themselves. Disposal Of The Dead is the title of one EP that contains their brutal death metal and slam songs. It consists of six tracks and, although very different than what fans will be familiar with, still that classic brutality is obvious. Dharmata is the second half of the split that consists of five tracks that explore "an homage to old school progressive death metal", and is an excellent display of musicianship as well as recording and production. With each album complete with its own album artwork, this split makes an exciting and interesting release.
Disposal Of The Dead contains the more familiar Defeated Sanity sound most fans are accustomed to. Fast paced brutal death metal that actually has a significant number of slams. A main advantage of this split comes with the ability for the band to display their love for different types of metal, without remaining tethered to their tried and true brutal music they are known for. Disposal Of The Dead winds its way through the six tracks with ease. Some of the pleasant surprises include some of the grooviest slams I have ever heard, a bass guitar that contains a sound that is indescribable, and the guttural musky vocals that seem to be the heaviest and most brutal sounding to date. This is aided by the foggy sounding production which I now cannot imagine the album not having.
"The Bell" is a highlight on this album, as it generates a more complex and maze-like feel from the start. With more discernible paces and timing, "The Bell" gives a taste and transition to Dharmanta as being the most progressive track on the Disposal Of The Dead album. With strong traces of jazz and off beat drum fills, supported by the consistent buzzing of the guitars, this diverse brutal feast will take several listen to fully digest.
Dharmanta,is perhaps my favorite of the two splits. Its over the top sounding structures and complexity almost sound as if the band is flaunting their skills "because we can" in an arrogance that is justifiable. It only proves Defeated Sanity is one of the most talented bands in their genre, and are more than a one trick show when it comes to creating new metal. The showoff vibe is easily excused as it proves to be a timeless masterpiece on its own. While the prominent influence of jazz is present, old school progressive death metal is the driving force. The exploratory musical journey of Dharmanta takes the listener from fast pace transitions to monologues of experimental blast beats and even temple chimes. Quite the example of true creativity in metal.
Your metal collection is not complete without this split. The music and production will beg the question of why other bands are not exploring these same interest. Leave it to Defeated Sanity, to set a new standard.
Score: 9/10
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