Metalcatto
We continue exploring the harmful side of Metal! It’s been a while without old school Death Metal, so let’s dive in! Vile Apparition might look at first like your consistent brutal band—nothing more and nothing less—but in Malignity the band tried to do more than just have fun and send us all to therapy. It attempts to leave a lasting impression, and there’s next to no other subgenre where this task is harder. Hence, I respect the impossible endeavor from the start. Enough drama now!
So yes, Malignity is a great representative of Me Saco Un Ojo or Dark Descent’s band philosophy: consistency, riffs that can split you in half, but with a healthy amount of groove that lets you headbang without blowing up a vertebra or two. However, I think the album is more inspired by old school European Death Metal (Decapitated, Hyperdontia, or Vader) than the Florida classics, simply because there’s a bigger investment in having a clean sound than just delivering butt-piercing breakdowns. It’s not obvious at first, but as the album advances, it becomes evident.
Another proof of this is that, for once, we get an interlude track that doesn’t suck and leaves me wondering why the band isn’t putting more of that acoustic beauty into the songs. What’s the worst that can happen? Being compared to Death? That’s a good deal to me. Yet, there’s an intense level of technicality in this absolute massacre that I grew to appreciate. Add vocals that are the glue to all those wacky riffs, and honestly you end up with something better than most old school albums.
My doubts are going to come from a familiar place. We’ve heard a lot of this before. Even if well-executed and engaging, I’d like Vile Apparition to take more risks in the future and find a vibe that truly separates it from the pack. Having said that, this isn’t boring at all—in fact, I’m just left with the feeling that the band can give us more. Not that it has to go towards the Tomb Mold direction, but any weird mix of styles would be highly interesting for this snobbish reviewer. So those are my two cents for the band that clearly doesn’t need my opinion, but maybe you do!
Expectations were rather low here, but Malignity shows a band that could eventually hang out with the most prominent acts on the scene, and that’s something to consider. The production is in that perfect spot between clean and dirty, and the performances are solid. Only a touch of madness and this band is ready to set your pants on fire. There you go—now go back to work. Your toilet break is starting to get suspicious.
Label: Me Saco Un Ojo/ Dark Descent Records
Release date: 10 October, 2025
Website: www.facebook.com/vileapparition
Country: Australia
Score: 3.5/5.0
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