Swelling Repulsion – Fatally Misguided

Transcending Obscurity has become the label for Tech Death. In whatever shape you like it, they probably have a band that can play as technical, as fast, or as disgusting as you need it. Enter Swelling Repulsion (nice name, by the way), an act that has a difficult task: to stand out in a year full of impressive Tech Death (see The Last of Lucy’s Godform or Replicant). In its newest effort, Fatally Misguided (just like you making career choices), the band is attempting to show that it has a different proposal for you, but is it even possible to get out of the comfort zone? Notice that Tech Death relax time is still the most stressful moment in the lives of 90% of musicians.

It’s hard to put Fatally Misguided in a box. Yes, it’s Death Metal and ultra-technical, but it’s also dissonant, psychedelic, constantly changing, yet remaining groovy enough to be easy to follow. It’s not an album that you’ll figure out in one listen. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to sit down and pay attention for once. However, Swelling Repulsion deserves your attention. It has crafted music that feels ethereal like Dream Unending (“Vanquish”), but also moments that are straight out of a Necrophagist album (“Fatally Misguided”). Most of the tracks last as long as they should; it’s a lean effort with almost no fat. So if you dislike most Tech Death because of all the “wanking” (Alkaloid, I love you, but this is you lately), then here we have what you’ve been looking for: fast, aggressive, complex, but never too self-indulgent. It’s not like it would create its own blog.

Anyway, the bass is life. That’s what sets Fatally Misguided apart from the pile. Sure, there are many virtuosos on the bass guitar in Tech Death, but this one has its own personality (unlike your ex, right?). Despite lacking many moments to “solo” around, Jablonicky’s groove is always there, adding complexity and layers to the rest. It’s not that the other members aren’t absolute beasts at their craft, but Tech Death is like the Olympics: if everyone is an athlete, you either outmatch the competition or just go a totally different way and become a weirdo. That’s what we ended up with in this album—a group of elite athletes plus a weirdo. As usual, I’m throwing flowers left and right, so when do I start throwing axes? Now!

The album, in my unwise opinion, has two important issues. First, it could benefit from more ethereal moments—pauses that actually allow us to embrace the Prog side of Swelling Repulsion. Right now, it feels like Necrophagist on Stanozolol. This would probably require the songs to be a bit longer, but I think it’s a gamble these monster musicians can take and come out unscathed. Second, it hits like a brick of sound; it’s rather compressed. Again, the solution might be simple: more contrasting sections would force smoother production decisions.

In the end, this is a professional effort from a pack of professionals. I do feel Swelling Repulsion hasn’t reached its full potential, but it’s on the right track. Also, doesn’t that cover art remind you of a Metal/planetary version of this? That must be a sign of things to come!

Label: Transcending Obscurity

Release Date: 7 June, 2024

Website: https://swellingrepulsion.bandcamp.com/

Country: USA

Score: One way ticket to a melting dimension, or 3.5/5.0 if you need to count