Hutch reviews the new album by young Finnish Death Metal rippers ‘Disguised Malignance’.. we think he enjoyed it!!

There’s no stopping the Finns when it comes to metal bands. The country with the most metal bands per head of population continues to churn out music at an alarming rate. 

Helsinki’s Disguised Malignance play a venomous level of low Fi death metal which is far too impressive for their tender ages. Indeed, when I realised that vocalist/guitarist/drummer Felix Pennanen is a mere 18 years old, I suddenly wondered if it was time to claim my pension and retire to my rocking chair clutching those early Rush albums to my chest in fear.  And then I looked at the rest of the band and shuddered as I discovered that the oldest member of the quintet is 20. 

I was on my first play through, and whilst I’d dismissed a couple of the earlier tracks as predictable Cannibal Corpse worship, I then came across the seven plus minute Disengagement into Eternity. Well, holy Corpsegrinder, this was a game changer. Yes, the band take every ounce of old school death metal and squish it into a ball of emotive retro sounds, but they do it rather well. This track catches the breath, beginning with a very slow intro, thick riffs skirt around the drumming, which does on occasion present as a bit too frantic. You can slow it down occasionally and the effect is even better. The demonic vocal delivery is incredibly dark, gruff belches of Lovecraftian horror are spewed forth. The track rockets along before dropping tempo completely. Led by a sole snare, there’s a change of pace which elevates this track into the stratosphere. Building the atmosphere with an obscene level of maturity, this ticks every box on the list. Sure, the solo is a little clunky, but it’s the overall feel of the track that makes this so interesting. 

Before this, six tracks of jagged yet robust death metal have pummelled the ears. Disguised Malignancy play their music with heart and passion, drawing on every sinew to provide an impressive debut release. The Gates of Nihil is hardly the most innovative title, but it fits the pummelling sound that the band release. They are confident enough to use multiple time changes, switching tempo from blistering blast beats to slower, powerful riff filled passages. 

Repeated plays make this a thoroughly enjoyable album to explore. The vocals are gruesome enough to fit neatly into the genre, but you can make out the words, something I often struggle with. The riffs are huge, crushing, and aggressive, but with enough room to let the songs breath. Unearthly Distinction, The Fading Path of Existence and Remnants of Serenity all deliver in punishing style. It’s a genuinely impressive album from start to finish. We wow about the likes of Tortured Demon in the UK, but Disguised Malignance are equally impressive. Check these out at your earliest convenience. 

Disguised Malignance – Entering the Gateways – Is Released on September 29th via Prosthetic Records