“Old school repulsive death metal from Oslo, Norway.” That’s how Horrifier themselves portray their music. Their label Personal Records drops references to the spirits of Repulsion and Autopsy as well as nods toward “the new wave of Norwegian deathrash” in the vein of Obliteration, Sepulcher, Inculter, and Condor.
Horrifier haven’t been around long, having come together only in 2022, and the members don’t look like they were alive when their major influences were laying down rotten foundations for death metal in the late ’80s.
But sometimes, and this is one of those times, something very good comes from people who aren’t trying to re-live their own distant youth but are right in the midst of it right now, and have found the right inspiration (along with bullet belts all ’round).
See for yourselves (or rather hear for yourselves) by lending an ear to Horrifier‘s “Deranged Sanity“.
The song comes from the band’s well-named forthcoming debut album Horrid Resurrection, and they introduce it this way:
“Deranged Sanity” is one of the faster and more to-the-point tracks on the album, and is very much a tribute to Repulsion, as well as ’80s slasher movies like Maniac and New York Ripper. The lyrics are about a person who hears voices in their head, that tells them that their only purpose in life is to rid the world of the filth that is humanity. What follows is a macabre and vicious killing spree.
Oh hell yes, the song itself really is a macabre and vicious killing spree. As the implements of slaughter, Horrifier wield hammering percussion, bowel-loosening bass lines, and dense circle-saw riffing that cuts with corroded teeth, all of it accompanied by horrifying roars and screams that echo from catacomb walls.
While the music is maniacally savage, in line with its narrative theme, it is also indeed macabre. Horrifier insert reverberating chords of groaning menace and otherworldly agony above bursts of double-kick thunder and staggering beats, breaking up the full-throttle rampaging.
They also break out the lead-weighted bludgeoners, right before a truly berserk solo that’s hot enough to melt lead.
Our guess is that even metalheads who’ve been steeped in death metal since the ’80s are going to recognize from just this one song that these ghoulish young hellraisers are talented songwriters and performers. But don’t stop there! Also lend a now-mangled ear to “Sadistic Impalement” (is there any other kind?), the previously released first single from Horrid Resurrection.
It’s about a minute and a half longer than that deranged killing spree you just heard, and Horrifier use the added time well.
If anything, this song is even more criminally insane at first, even faster in its percussive pumping and even more crazed in the feeding frenzy of the toxic-toned riffing. It also administers ruthless beatings, spins out melodies of hideous and haunting splendor, and enlivens the experience with a changing array of drum progressions and of course those truly horrifying vocals.
Moreover, in the middle, with the bass slowly leading the way, the band part an interdimensional veil and invite us into an audio necropolis where the guitar solo becomes a chilling yet electrifying manifestation of wailing spirits. And then they drag us by the hair through muck and murk, making us kneel before yet another guitar solo in the midst of a glorious seizure.
Pretty damned good stuff, huh?
Personal Records will release Horrid Resurrection on December 15th, in CD and digital formats. It’s up for pre-order now:
PRE-ORDER:
https://www.personal-records.com/product/pre-order-horrifier-horrid-resurrection-cd/
https://personal-records.bandcamp.com/album/horrid-resurrection
HORRIFIER:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083192538092