Year: 2020
Total Time: 45:04
Label: XenoKorp
PESTIFER is a band that exists since 2004, although the two founding members, the twins Adrien Gustin (bass) and Philippe Gustin (drums), have been playing together in various bands since 1998. After two albums, one in 2010 and one in 2014, they are returning with their new one, “Expanding Oblivion”, released on March 13 this. Let’s go check it out…
They are clearly influenced by DEATH, ATHEIST and PESTILENCE among others, but with a greater emphasis on MORBID ANGEL in my opinion, so here we have a technical Death Metal album, with all the elements this genre includes. Strange and “twisted” changes, smart and “weird” parts with solos, drums with double bass drumming and blast beats, the bass is playing almost everything that exists instead of just following the guitars and the voice is spitting out the lyrics like there is no tomorrow. Regarding the production, I will say that it is a classic, typical production of the genre. Everything sounds very clear, drums and bass are a strong rhythm section together, and with each beat on the cymbals you feel like as if the drummer is next to you. Listening to both of their previous albums, I dare to say that their progressiveness (is that word even legit?) has been pushed back, only a bit though, and there are more straight forward Death Metal parts, which makes the album more easy to listen to. Since I’m not a big fan of the genre, I can say that I was able to listen to “Expanding Oblivion” much easier than the two previous ones.
I will stop here, saying that even I, who, as I wrote above, am not a fan of the technical Death Metal except for a few exceptions, I liked it. It is a record I could put on and listen to at home, so I think that says something, right? When they manage to get the attention of someone who practically doesn’t know a lot about this kind of metal, well, they’re doing something right. Fans of the aforementioned bands, take a listen and you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Nick Samios
Related Link: PESTIFER – Official Page
