Hideous Divinity, the Italian masters of extreme metal, have once again summoned a storm of relentless brutality with their latest offering, Unextinct. A keenly anticipated release, this album stands as a testament to the band’s unyielding commitment to pushing the boundaries of technical death metal and quite possibly their best release yet.
From the opening salvo of ‘Dust Settles on Humanity’, segueing into lead track ‘The Numinous One’ to the brief respite of ‘Der Verlorene Sohn’. Unextinct grips the listener by the throat and refuses to let go. The album is a relentless onslaught of razor-sharp riffs, blistering blast beats, and guttural vocals that evoke the very essence of chaos and destruction.
One of the most striking aspects of the album is the band’s impeccable musicianship. Hideous Divinity demonstrate a mastery of their craft, weaving intricate melodies and punishing rhythms with surgical precision. Indeed, it’s this impressive technical skill that only serves to intensify the haunting motif across the album: the realisation of humankinds’ existence as an endless loop of birth, death, and resurrection amidst the remnants of shattered beliefs. Each track serves as a lament; a contemplation of our struggle against the inevitability of mortality, encouraging listeners to find the bravery to confront the indescribable, unfathomable powers shaping our transient presence.
In addition to its sonic onslaught, Unextinct also benefits from a stellar production that amplifies the album’s raw intensity. Every instrument cuts through the mix with razor-sharp clarity, allowing each riff and blast beat to land with maximum impact. The result is a sonic maelstrom that engulfs the listener in a whirlwind of sound. Everything is at 11, which to the uninitiated can be a little overwhelming, but stick with it and the layers slowly reveal themselves.
Hideous Divinity have crafted a visceral and unrelenting masterpiece that will leave listeners breathless and craving more. With this album, they have cemented their status as one of the most formidable forces in modern melodeath, and the tales running through Unextinct serve as a chilling reminder of the power of the supernatural.
Unextinct is out now on Century Media Records and can be purchased here
Words: Scott Crawford
