This is the debut album by US death metal band Horrific Visions.
Featuring the drummer of Stabbing, (also ex-Whore of Bethlehem), Remnants of Atrophy deals out 25 minutes of brutal death metal punishment. Horrific Visions take a well-worn formula and put just enough of their own spin on it to make a destructive impression.
The nature of brutal death metal is that it is brutal, unforgiving, and vicious. Horrific Visions exemplify this pretty darn well. The songs are short and relentlessly belligerent. Throughout the gruelling running time Horrific Visions demonstrate that the style is in very capable hands with them, while also showcasing that they also offer something a touch different too. Probably 80% of Remnants of Atrophy is as you’d want/expect from the style. However, that remaining 20% means that Horrific Visions are better than the norm.
Everything is tight and murderous, but special mention must go to the vocalist. His inhuman growls sound absolutely evil, that’s the only way to describe them. Most death metal vocalists are obviously a bit monstrous, but this guy sounds like he’s spewing pure daemonic malevolence. It adds another aspect to Remnants of Atrophy that differentiates it from the pack.
It’s not just the vocals that stand out either. Musically, Horrific Visions allow themselves to deviate from the brutal death metal template just enough to give them a bit more personality than most. You can hear some wider death metal influences, (touches of Broken Hope, Cryptopsy, Origin, and Suffocation), as well as a penchant for a bit of atmosphere or dynamics here and there. It’s not the core of their sound, but reminds me of the similar sort of touches that Brodequin successfully incorporated into 2024’s Harbinger of Woe, albeit within a slightly different framework of brutality.
Despite its short nature, there is some filler, as is basically standard for almost any band these days. This is mainly down to the pointless interlude Synaptic Decay. This track would add little to the album without the spoken word, but with the spoken word it actively detracts from it. Apart from this, Remnants of Atrophy stands up well on its own merits, providing a brief, but enjoyable slab of brutal heaviness that’s good fun to listen and stomp around to.
For when you want a short burst of crushing violence and extremity, Horrific Visions are here for you.
Highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 