Once you listen to it, it’s hard to dispute that Septic, Bitter and Hardbitten (Cavernous) isn’t a suitable moniker for Phlefonyaar’s latest LP. Lots of bands and labels describe their music in many colorful nouns such as “brutal” or “weary,” but only a select few truly deserve that kind of praise. Septic, Bitter and Hardbitten is as brutal as a murder scene. Once the mildly spooky/mostly acoustic intro, ‘The Lingering Molly’ is out of the way, Phlefonyaar sets up a world of aural pain for listeners to willingly drag themselves through.

‘Temple Bells after Midnight’ lures you in with its lumbering riff and moderate double kicks sprinkled throughout only to lead you to ‘And If My Conscience Be In Fits?’ and its foundation cracking heaviness. Its heavy groves and monochromatic vocals suggest Entombed’s DCLXVI: To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth (Threeman), only with more lurching tempos and the evil dialed way up.

‘Slow Death and Procrastination’ picks right up where its predecessor left off in terms of heaviness and dour mood. So much so that I wouldn’t be alarmed if accusations of being too similar sounding were raised. But then again, dealing with predictability is one of the inherit challenges in Doom or Sludge Metal. Since you’re limiting yourself to certain tempos differentiation comes down to nuance. Also, while on the subject of mild criticism, I would really love to hear what Phelfonyaar would sound like with an actual drummer. While the drum programming is strong (see ‘All Things That On Earth Do Dwell’), live drumming is an avenue worth venturing through.

One ace in Phlefonyaar’s sleeve is their selection of moody and at times frightening samples. I know I haven’t been the friendliest when it comes electronics in metal, but when Hessians figure out how to use properly, even my jaded hat goes off to them.

Take a venture into the dark for yourself, if you’re feeling up for it of course.

8.0/10

HANSEL LOPEZ