Hutch takes a listen to the new Inhuman Condition offering…. here’s what he thinks!

You’ve heard of Inhuman Condition, right? Formed by ex-Massacre members Taylor Nordberg and Jeramie Kling in 2020 and named after the Massacre EP from 1992. Completed by Obituary bassist Terry Butler, the band released their debut album Rat God in 2021, quickly followed by Fearsick in 2022. 

Clearly unable to rest, the band produced a five-track covers EP last year and now return with a selection of new songs, live cuts and a cover which makes for interesting listening. With artwork from Dan “Babe” Ruth Goldsworthy (Cradle of Filth, Accept, Hakan), which features the band’s ‘mascot’ the Rat God who appears on the band’s previous releases. It’s a sinister image, leaving little to the imagination and sending a chill down the spine. It ties in neatly with the title track, the panic prayer that you reach for in times of most need. 

The four live tracks are a demonstration of the band’s brutality in the live arena. Two tracks from each album, including the monstrous The Mold Testament see Inhuman Condition in a support slot for Deicide. It’s a snarling, savage, and powerful delivery, with a production that captures the live sound. The chugging chainsaw guitar work, Kling’s gruff roars and the demanding interaction for circle pit action all come through loud and clear. There are moments of quiet humour as well. “The next song is called The Next Step. Push your neighbour over”, leaving you in no illusion about the intensity of the band’s live shows. A shame that they couldn’t make Bloodstock 2022 although that heat would have killed this vibe. 

The cover version is somewhat surprising. A take on the classic Godzilla by Blue Öyster Cult may be an obvious choice given its standing in the world of rock and metal, but it remains a song where the original is impossible to beat, and despite the best efforts, a death metal version only gives it a different twist. 

The three new tracks are all bruisers though. The opening track is Civilised Holocaust, a mid-tempo riff-laden song that broods and smoulders, with typical malevolence. The crunchier pace of Final Credits brings with it a more sinister overture, with Nordberg’s screaming guitars prominent. There is a neat change of pace which increases dramatically and suddenly we are going flat out in true death metal style. You can pit, mosh, headbang or just fist pump to this bad boy. That leads to the title track and another explosive monster which is dominated by a huge growl at the start. It’s chugging format disguises some of the quality, with the drumming nailing everything down, whilst the combination of Butler and Nordberg brings a huge riff front and centre. 

Panic Prayer is another solid offering from a band who are nicely slotting into the higher echelons of the death metal world and is out this Friday 21st July on Listenable Insanity Records