Sometimes I sit around and wonder, “Man I wish there were more bands that sound like Despised Icon“, and lo and behold here comes Slovak Metal Army with the new EP from the Czech Republic’s Anime Torment, a veteran band with 2 full-lengths under their belt, but a new band to me.
20 Minutes of classic 00s, thundering deathcore/grind/tech death, the Despised Icon influence is tangible, just listen to the song below “Lure”, and try to deny it. Three-layer vocals, growls, rasps and including pig squeals, a punky/hardcore sneer, and a breakdown that punches you in the face.
The other 5 songs all have a similarly confident, crushing stride and gait, with short sharp bursts alternating between huge breakdowns and spazzy, squeally tech death/grindcore. In particular, “Witching Hour”, and EP closer “Midnight Ritual” all have the heavy Despised Icon musk that’s well-produced and confidently played and certainly a promising deathcore band from the unexpected depths of Central Europe.
