From Bandcamp, “ENTOMOPHTHORA was formed during a conversation about zombie flies in 2022, and consists of Roger Isaksen (vocals, bass, guitar) and Tom Wahl (guitar), both veterans in the Norwegian metal scene. Their dark form of music is a natural combination of Tom Wahl’s old-school death metal approach and Roger Isaksen’s more modern extreme metal background. The result is “Instinctual Disease,” eight tracks of powerful guitars, intense vocals and rapid rhythms.”

The album has eight songs, and “Artwork of Madness” is first. It has a slow entrance, but is followed by a thick wall of guitars, blast beat drumming, and harsh vocal screams. There are also some riff and meter changes along the way to keep the listener on his toes. “Tormented and Torn” enters with a powerful riff and a stiff sound of madness. Just when you think they have rested on a preferred riff, they change things up again, and this keeps their sound fresh and modern. The title track is another overgrown song that sounds like a tree that stands firm in a storm, because the roots have traveled so far underground that it is essentially unbreakable.

“Mass Hypnosis” has an opening riff that is more akin to Speed or Thrash Metal, and the band’s timing is Impeccable, hitting each accent along the way with deadly accuracy. There is a point where the song nearly becomes chaotic, but they hang on through the heavy winds. “A Primoral Might” is a very short song connecting to the second half of the album. “Vortex of Violence” has a darker sound, and I as I listen, I am visualizing a serial killer preparing for a night of debauchery after the sun goes down. His methodical approach mirrors the band’s sense of technicality in the song. “Aftermath” closes the album, and it’s the first chance we get to take a breath. It feature spoken words, and a warning, as well as the resolve of the human spirit.

Overall, I found this album exactly as advertised…a thick wall of Death Metal with modern elements. The duo are quite talented, and are able to shift through riff and meter changes without missing a beat. Any fan of Extreme Metal will find this to their liking, because it is uncompromising and relentless in its assault.