Let me start by asking you this: Have you ever experienced a musical experience so intense it felt like your skull was being pried open with a crowbar? That’s the kind of visceral assault Indonesian brutal death metal duo Vertiginous delivers on their sophomore album Incessant Affliction. But here’s the kicker—while the album thrives on its unrelenting brutality, it also leaves me wondering if the band is more interested in proving their ferocity than crafting something memorable. This isn’t just a review; it’s a deep dive into the paradox of extreme metal and the fine line between homage and monotony.
The Sound of Unrelenting Violence
When I first heard Incessant Affliction, I was struck by how effortlessly it channels the raw aggression of early Suffocation and the surgical precision of Cannibal Corpse. But what truly fascinates me is how Vertiginous manages to sound both primitive and technically proficient. Their debut Reek of Putrefaction was a raw, unpolished slab of death metal, but this new offering feels like a calculated evolution. The production is crisp, the guitars are a blur of chaotic riffage, and the drums—handled by Jossi Bima—sound like they’re being played with a chainsaw. Yet, as much as I admire the technicality, I can’t help but think: What’s the point of all this if it doesn’t leave a lasting impression?
A Monochrome Experience
Here’s where things get complicated. The album’s greatest strength is also its most glaring weakness. Every track feels like a carbon copy of the last. Take the opener Suffering, Misery, and Slaughtering: it’s a masterclass in brutality, with guttural vocals that sound like they were recorded in a meat locker and a rhythm section that could shatter concrete. But when Incubated Inquietude follows, I’m not sure if I’m listening to a new song or just the same one with a slightly different tempo. The lack of variation is staggering. This isn’t just a case of ‘samey’ death metal—it’s a deliberate choice to drown the listener in a sea of identical sonic violence. And while that might work for a 15-minute track, it’s exhausting over 30 minutes. What does this say about the band’s creative vision? Are they trying to replicate the chaos of a live show, or are they simply repeating a formula that’s already been done to death (pun intended)?
The Art of Repetition
Let’s talk about repetition. In extreme metal, especially brutal death metal, repetition is often a tool for immersion. It’s the auditory equivalent of being beaten with a hammer until you lose consciousness. But Vertiginous takes this to an extreme that feels almost self-defeating. There are moments—like the bass breaks in Mutilated with Anguishes—where the album almost breaks free from its own monotony. The bass here is a welcome contrast, a reminder that even in the darkest corners of death metal, there’s room for nuance. Yet, these moments are fleeting. The rest of the album is a relentless barrage of snare hits and guttural growls, leaving little room for the listener to catch their breath. It’s like watching a horror movie where every scene is a jump scare. Eventually, you stop reacting because you’re too numb to feel anything.
The Human Element
And yet, there’s something undeniably human about this album. Hendika Dwi Prasetyo’s drumming is a beast in its own right, each hit landing with the precision of a surgeon and the ferocity of a madman. His ability to balance technicality with raw aggression is impressive, and it’s clear he’s poured his soul into every track. But here’s the thing: Even the most skilled musicians can’t save an album that lacks identity. When every song sounds like it was written in a fever dream, the listener is left asking, ‘Why should I care?’ This isn’t just about the music—it’s about storytelling. Brutal death metal doesn’t need to be complex, but it does need to evoke something. Whether it’s rage, despair, or existential dread, there has to be a reason to listen beyond the noise.
The Future of Brutal Death Metal
So where does this leave Vertiginous? They’re clearly a band with talent, but Incessant Affliction feels like a step in the wrong direction. The genre is already saturated with acts that prioritize speed and aggression over substance. To stand out, Vertiginous needs to find a way to inject some personality into their sound. Maybe explore dynamics more—throw in a slower, more atmospheric track or experiment with vocal styles. Or perhaps take a page from the book of bands like Cryptopsy, who managed to blend brutality with intricate composition. Right now, Incessant Affliction is a testament to what can happen when a band becomes too consumed by their own intensity. It’s a powerful album, but it’s also a cautionary tale. The future of brutal death metal might depend on artists learning to balance ferocity with creativity. Otherwise, we’ll all be stuck listening to the same old noise, over and over again.
