How to word this? Profane Nexus (Relapse Records), the tenth studio album from New York death metal institution, Incantation is not bad. Good even. Longtime followers need not concern, there is enough Death and Doom to go around on Profane Nexus, but I just feel like more could’ve been left out on the field this time around.

Now, don’t run out and tell your friends that this is a weak recording and get me thrown in elitist jail. ‘Muse’ rips the carpet right from under the listener with a blistering and frigid Black Metal attack. It’ll give you brief respites to take in the scene, but then it’s back to the blast-beat labor camps. And for more swift kicks to the liver, then stay tuned for ‘Rites of the Locust’ which alternates from fiery Thrash to Grindcore while piling on loads of dive bombs.

The breakneck speed is fun, but when Incantation drops the tempo and dives into the doomier stuff then you’re in Flavor Town, USA. While ‘Visceral Hexahedron’ does have death in its genetic code, it’s best when the floor toms are pounding and the double kick drums are clogged to the tits and the guitars are in Sabbath mode. ‘Incorporeal Despair’ also abides by the mantra of “live slow, die whenever,” but it carries the weight of Blues Traveler’s tour bus. Is an all Doom album a future possibility? I sure hope so.

But if you remember my opening paragraph, we’ve got some issues to hash out. My aversion to song interludes has been well documented, so all I’ll say is that ‘Stormgate Convulsions from the Thunderous Shores of Infernal Realms Beyond the Grace of God’ isn’t needed here. Vocalist and guitarist John McEntee has honed his instruments like a fine blade, but the growls can veer into monochromatic fields later in Profane Nexus. And unfortunately, ‘Messiah Nostrum’ and ‘Omens to the Altar of Onyx’ have all the ingredients but just don’t catch on like the other tracks.

So, what am I saying? Profane Nexus is a good Death Metal album in a year that’s been filthy with them. Also, I am very spoiled by this.

7.0/10

HANSEL LOPEZ

Hansel Lopez, Profane Nexus, Relapse, Ghost Cult, Ghost Cult Magazine, Death Metal, Doom Metal, John McEntee, Grindcore, Thrash Metal, Flavor Town USA, Black Sabbath, Dive bombs, Blast beats, shitty interludes