Defeated Sanity – Chronicles of Lunacy (Review)

Defeated Sanity - Chronicles of LunacyThis is the seventh album from German death metallers Defeated Sanity.

When it comes to brutal technicality, I think it is fair to say that Defeated Sanity are legends in death metal. Their music is mercilessly brutal, yet boasts a jazz-influenced technical delivery and a progressive edge that’s absorbing. Although an appropriate description of the band’s output, it also doesn’t do the music full justice. Besides this, each of Defeated Sanity’s albums have their own flavour and character too.

Which brings us to the 34 minutes of new material an Chronicles of Lunacy. These songs focus on the band’s brutal side more than 2020’s jazz-infected The Sanguinary Impetus. Like that album, this new one has all of the recognisable Defeated Sanity hallmarks, only whereas on its predecessor the band’s more extravagant tendencies where emphasised, on Chronicles of Lunacy Defeated Sanity pay more attention to their old-school brutal death metal side. That’s not to say that the extreme technicality and experimental extremity is missing from Chronicles of Lunacy though, far from it in fact; I don’t think Defeated Sanity could be a typical brutal death metal band if they tried.

A balancing act then, between straightforward slamming brutality and head-spinning technical wizardry. The songs blur the lines between these two worlds, fusing them deeply into songs that are murderously brutal, remorselessly precise, and lethally expressive.

There is a lot to explore on this record, too much for just one or two spins. The obvious assets it has jump out early on, but there are deeper rewards to be found too. All of the musicians excel in what they do, but notable mention must go to the drum and bass performances, both of which are especially exemplary.

Chronicles of Lunacy offers the listener a near-relentless barrage of death metal extremity, played with nuanced skill and a keen understanding of how to lead the pack rather than follow it. Defeated Sanity remain one of the best examples of brutal death metal in the business, and Chronicles of Lunacy is enormously enjoyable.

Fans of brutal technicality should not miss out on this frenzied assault.