Emerging from the Black Metal underground of Indonesia, Atrocious deliver ‘Demonic Dead’, a record driven by sheer speed and aggression. The band tears through the album with relentless pacing: furious blast beats, rapid-fire tremolo riffs, and harsh snarled vocals forming a constant barrage of barbaric Black Metal intensity.
The guitars race forward with sharp, high-velocity riffing while the drums rarely let up, pushing the songs at a breakneck pace from beginning to end. There’s a savage enthusiasm in the performance, and the band clearly aims for that feral, warlike atmosphere reminiscent of bands like Hecate Enthroned, albeit stripped of symphonic polish and reduced to a rawer, more straightforward attack.
However, once the initial assault settles, ‘Demonic Dead’ begins to feel overly familiar. The riffs, structures, and overall approach draw heavily from well-worn Black Metal formulas, rarely stepping outside territory that listeners of the genre have already heard countless times before. While the speed and aggression keep the energy high, the songs struggle to leave a lasting impression.
In the end, ‘Demonic Dead’ is a fast and hostile listen, but one that ultimately fades quickly from memory. Despite its barbaric intensity, the album feels more like a routine exercise in Black Metal ferocity rather than a truly memorable or distinctive release.
