REVIEW: DEFILED - In Crisis

 

DEFILED - In Crisis (2011)

Season Of Mist Records

Japan has never been among the countries most commonly associated with heavy metal, and as a result its extreme metal scene has often remained under the radar. Those willing to explore it, however, will quickly discover that it has produced a respectable number of noteworthy acts, generally divided between melodic and highly brutal approaches. DEFILED have always belonged firmly to the latter camp, as their name alone suggests, and with In Crisis they returned almost eight years after the release of their previous full-length album.

From beginning to end, In Crisis is built around one central objective: uncompromising brutality. Aggression, relentless speed, crushing riffs and an overwhelming sense of violence dominate every aspect of the record, while everything else is clearly treated as secondary. DEFILED leave no room for subtlety, atmosphere or emotional variation, instead opting for a constant barrage of bludgeoning death metal accompanied by the expected gore-inspired aesthetics.

The problem, at least from my perspective, is that the album rarely moves beyond that single idea. I've always believed that even the most extreme forms of metal benefit from memorable melodies or contrasting moments that give the music depth, balance and identity. In Crisis offers very little of that. As a result, the songs gradually begin to blend together, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish one from another. What initially feels intense eventually becomes repetitive, and the relentless aggression loses much of its impact through the absence of variation.

There is no denying that DEFILED are highly capable musicians. Their technical ability and precision are evident throughout the album, but they rarely use those strengths to expand their songwriting beyond sheer violence. Instead, In Crisis remains focused almost exclusively on delivering maximum intensity, making it feel extreme simply for the sake of being extreme rather than serving a broader musical purpose.

Ultimately, In Crisis is a straightforward brutal death metal album aimed squarely at listeners who want relentless ferocity with virtually no compromise. Fans who appreciate unfiltered violence and crushing heaviness above all else will likely find plenty to enjoy here. Those, however, who expect memorable songwriting, dynamic arrangements or even modest melodic touches may find the experience too one-dimensional to leave a lasting impression.

Christine  Parastatidou