Hailing from Connecticut is the one-man Black Metal project DEATH VANISH. On Nov. 8, the project released its second EP, "Total Solitary Instinct." This is a five-track extended play of fast, sludgy and doom-filled Black Metal with plenty of Crust and Hardcore influence.

Death Vanish has a varying sound depending on the track. "Old Spirit" is filled with traditional Doom Metal riffing mixed with Black Metal riffing for a very tasty and riff-laden first track. The main riff that introduces the song is a very eerie and jumpy riff of triplets, something used often in Valder's work. It evokes a very traditional Doom Metal sound, especially with the raw production.

There are plenty of Punk influences in the music, but it isn't as obvious until "Seven Caves." Although this is definitely the weakest track on the EP, it is notable for its nods to Crust Punk. It highlights the influence of the genre, making it more obvious in other tracks upon multiple relistens.

As previously mentioned, Valder tends to use triplets frequently in the music. This gives each track a bit of groove, as the drums are not blasting, but instead complimenting triplet sections with a simple, on-the-beat rhythm. This same groove is used in almost every track, and it is the redeeming factor of "Seven Caves."

The album is full of memorable riffing on the title track and especially with "Old Spirit." "Beyond the Bounds of Time" has a lot of interesting moments in it as well, oftentimes being memorable. The track has a great structure with a nice emphasis on simplistic yet effective melodies.

Production-wise, this album is raw. Everything is very reverberated and cavernous. The vocals are less Black Metal and more Sludge Metal because of the yelling technique instead of a shriek, and they only add to the echoing of this music. While it is raw and unfinished, each note can be made out, and the instruments do not blend together. So, the music is very well-produced, especially for being so raw.

As a whole, the EP is not bad. While it would have been better if it didn't end on such an uneventful song such as "Seven Caves," it still stands up as a strong snippet of music.