![sněť / grave infestation – sněť / grave infestation [split]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Snet-Grave-Infestation-–-Split-EP-cover.jpg "Sněť / Grave Infestation – Sněť / Grave Infestation [Split]")
Info
- Band(s): Grave Infestation, Sněť
- Label(s): Filth Junkies Records, Me Saco un Ojo Records
- Release Format(s): 7" vinyl, Cassette, Split
- Release Year: 2023
- Review Date: November 29, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
Two of the current scene’s most revered underground Death Metal bands are sharing this piece of black wax of 7 inches in diameter, released by Me Saco Un Ojo. It is Sněť from Sněť and Grave Infestation, whose previous work I have found particularly appealing. So, if this split 7” is one for those who like to have something gritty on the menu.
It is up to Sněť to open this dance, their tracks is pretty much in line with their previously released full-length album, ‘Mokvání v Okovech’. An album that was released on all three physical formats by a wide range of labels and garnered an impressive amount of positive reactions. Although I didn’t think the album, or the band’s demo were anything bad, I kind of struggled to share the common opinion. To me the band had the right crunchy sound, but it lacked power and aggression. This sort of raunchy Death Metal requires a certain bite to have a lasting impression, although they were everything but one-dimensional when it comes to pace, it always felt interchangeable to me. On this new track, ‘Groteskní Hybrid’, they are serving us with more of the same. Slightly up-tempo Death Metal with some intricate guitar work and ditto gruffy vocals, yet it still doesn’t feel that the band has anything memorable to offer.
Grave Infestation, on the other hand, is bringing basically the very same sort of music, but with one big difference: they do have that extra spark to offer. At least on their great 2022-released debut album, ‘Persecution Of The Living’. That first album had a very punchy and rather crisp production. On this one track the band seem to have taken their music a slightly different direction, sound-wise. It sounds much murkier and subsequently it misses that kick in the teeth that made ‘Persecution Of The Living’ such a relevant album in today’s Death Metal scene. The music itself is more or less written in the same vein, with some variety in tempo and great whammy driven guitar delivery. Due to the darker sound the music gets a slightly more gloomy ambiance, of course everything is a matter of interpretation and personal taste, but I feel this is not where the band excels. Although it is a fine listen, I can only say that this is the least interesting track out of Grave Infestation’s full discovery.
So, all in all, I cannot say that this split 7″ EP can be considered a great success. Neither band brings the best of the genre on their side of this piece of vinyl, noting that Grave Infestation, despite not providing their best work, are clearly the better band on this EP.
Me Saco un Ojo Records
- Country: United Kingdom
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp
