SUBJUGATED - INHERENT BELLIGERENCE

The introductory track begins with a monologue from the original Matrix film. Agent Smith is describing his own observations and understanding of the human species, summing them up as a disease, a plague, a virus. The speech links to the overall theme of the album and what is to come.

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Track 2 ‘Transcending Boundaries’ pushes straight into the brutal death metal genre with fast pulsating drums and a snare like a machine. Guitar riffs move between low and high phrasing with the bass adding low end and foundational support. In the breakdown there is an open stringed riff which adds the first multidimensional layer. Vocals are strong and guttural although in some sections they are competing with the mid-range tones of the guitar and can’t be heard as clearly. This could be a stylistic production choice from the band or the producer.

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‘Impenitence Discipline’ maintains the audio assault with a descending fast guitar riff, a solid bass and percussive section and an even mix, removing the vocal and guitar battle from the previous song. Bass drop effects are introduced and used to add impact and more depth to the low end (you’ll need a subwoofer or good headphones to hear it).Moving into track 4 Shroud of Thorns’, the song begins with an ascending guitar riff, drums and bass are tight, and the vocals sit in the pocket. A call and response style breakdown riff between the guitars sits in the left and right side of the mix and evokes a feeling of staunching or stalking.

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‘Beyond Noumenon’ begins with a heavy chord-based riff and is overlayed with a monologue from the film Cape Fear- originally written by Angelus Silesius (Johann Scheffler). It speaks of the character being one with themselves, no one is greater. It links back to the original monologue in the first track. The bands performance is tight with fast alternate picking signature guitar riffs and long guttural vocal screams.

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Track 6 maintains the tempo with blasting drums, a solid supportive low end and more staunching guitar riffs. Good space is provided by brief snippets of no sound, adding yet another layer of texture and keeping the audience focused. The vocals have been mixed to make them more animalistic which suits the title of the song ‘Homo Homini Lupus’ a Latin phrase that means man is a wolf to man.

‘Equity & Retaliation’ brings the bass up in the mix and makes the low end the primary drive for the song. The blast beats, guitar riffs and vocals are still present, strong and on point. The final growl draws out and has a digitised effect on it like the sound in the Matrix film, linking back to an aspect of the overall theme.The longest track on the album is ‘Inexorably Psychotic Disorder’ at just under five mins. It changes pace from all out speed and power, to half-time breakdowns with long sustained growls which highlight the individual elements that makes up Subjugated’s creative and musical style.

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The album finishes with ‘Oppressive Indoctrination’. The song is short, sharp and intense with solid guitar riffs, tight low end and blasting drums. Abrupt stops and single beat measures of silence add further intensity of the song.

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‘Inherent Belligerence’ is a strong debut release that highlights the bands musicality and understanding of the brutal death metal genre. The bass and drums provide a solid foundation that enables the guitar riffs and vocals to add the contrasting melodies and storytelling. The production adds cinematic effects such as bass drops to add further texture and layers, expanding the sonic soundscape for the listener. Monologue snippets maintain the overall theme of man as the enemy of man. Overall, Subjugated have delivered a solid debut record showcasing their own signature style and riffs, proving they can easily hold their own within the brutal death metal genre.

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SCORE 8/10

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WORDS BY MOTH

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