Antropomorphia – Devoid Of Light

Six years after their enthusiastically praised fifth studio full-length Merciless Savagery, the Dutch death dealers from Antropomorphia return with their most brutal and dark record so far in their career entitled Devoid Of Light. For those still unfamiliar with this four-piece from Tilburg (The Netherlands) I can tell that the band was formed back in 1990, which makes them a true pioneers of the Dutch death metal scene. Ever since its formation the band has been playing uncompromising and brutal approach while simultaneously expanding vortex of musical textures.

Track-listing:

1. The Withering Stench of Hope

2. Devoid of Light

3. Funeral Throne

4. In Writhing Rapture

5. Cancerous Bane

6. Unending Hunt

7. Ash Drapes the Earth

8. In the Shade of the Devil’s Horns

9. Triumphant Death

Band’s current lineup consists of; Ferry Damen (vocals & guitar), Jeroen Pleunis (bass), Marco Stubbe (drums) and Jos van den Brand (guitar). Throughout the nine daemonic hymns, that are on their sixth full-length, the quartet delves even deeper into macabre themes and with lyrical content that is grim, dark and chilling. After three spins of Devoid Of Light I hear a band that is still hungry and pushing both their own limits and the extreme scene as such. In other words; they stay true to their death metal roots, while incorporating even more dark and black metal elements into their profound, intense and uncompromising sound. The way the band manage harmonies and consonance is remarkable throughout the 43-minutes long record.

At first listen, the nine tracks from Devoid Of Light follow familiar structures, but with each new spin one discover some kind of a wicked twist just to keep things dynamic and unpredictable. The previously mentioned black metal vibes are nicely woven into their music throum some icy melodies, but also with some fast tempos, which adds the above mentioned essential and indispensable variation (and tempo shifts too) in order to keep listener further engaged.

Despite of its brutal and extreme nature, the production part is flawless. Much of that comes to the credit of drummer Marco Stubbe, who was responsible for all of these technical aspects of the album, with only Dan Swanö handling the mastering job. It resulted in an album that is, in every part, well produced so that drums, double guitar, bass and not least vocals get their due.

Antropomorphia maybe remains unfairly underrated, but for me they’re the shining gem among all the other mediocre bands out there! Those six years of silence were definitely worth the wait, so crank the volume up to 10 and let this album rip! Devoid Of Light is a mandatory listen for all extreme metal fans, especially worshippers of the bands as Autopsy, Death, but also the likes of Celtic Frost, Bathory, Infernal Majesty, Asphyx and Deicide.

For further information on this sixth opus from Antropomorphia go to https://antropomorphia.bandcamp.com/album/devoid-of-light