DISHUMANE – CENTURION'S DEMISE

Opening DISHUMANE's debut EP, 'Conquering the Forlorn' immediately establishes the band's uncompromising approach with raw, distorted guitar riffs that deliberately embrace an unpolished edge, while a subtle yet clearly audible bass line adds welcome weight beneath the surface. Dark guttural growls and sinister snarls soon take command, reinforcing the song's oppressive atmosphere. The only slight reservation lies in the vocal mix, which occasionally feels a little uneven. While the exact cause is difficult to identify, the vocals sometimes sit a little awkwardly within the instrumentation, making them feel less natural than the rest of the production. 

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The title track, 'Centurion's Demise', follows with forceful drumming and dark, cavernous growls that immediately command the listener's attention, while crushing guitar riffs further intensify the song's relentless assault. Here it becomes clearer that my slight reservation from the opening track lies more with the production than the performance itself. At times, the recording has the raw, rehearsal-room character of an old-school 1990s demo, which occasionally softens the impact of the aggression the band is aiming for. That said, considering this is DISHUMANE's debut EP, the intensity, conviction, and uncompromising songwriting still shine through, making the title track one of the release's stronger moments.

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'Soul Spun Malice' once again opens with commanding drumming before faster, creatively crafted riffs and well-placed pinch harmonics take over. A brief yet impressively executed guitar solo, woven seamlessly into the song's crushing backbone riffs, adds both depth and a welcome melodic dimension. The momentum built throughout the composition is particularly engaging, while the production feels noticeably more refined than on the previous tracks, allowing the band's intensity to shine through more effectively. Just when the song seems to have revealed everything it has to offer, DISHUMANE introduces unexpected doom metal influences towards the end, providing a satisfying and memorable conclusion. 

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Closing the EP, 'Loom of Souls' provides a fitting conclusion to DISHUMANE's debut. Ominous sounds create an eerie atmosphere that finally allows the listener a moment to breathe, yet an underlying sense of uncertainty lingers throughout. It is a subtle but effective ending that leaves a lasting impression and brings a short yet intense debut EP to a satisfying close.

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With "Centurion's Demise", DISHUMANE delivers a solid debut EP that faithfully captures the raw spirit of old-school death metal. Strong songwriting, crushing riffs, and commanding drumming provide plenty of memorable moments, while the occasionally uneven production prevents the band's full potential from shining through. Nevertheless, this is a promising first step that leaves plenty of reasons to look forward to what DISHUMANE will create next.

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SCORE 7/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY

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