In the scene since 2012 and coming straight out of Switzerland, DESPISING AGE have just released their first full-length, and it is full of anger.

"Belligerent" comes simply labeled as Death Metal, so my ears were expecting pure, old school sounding blasts and growls. Yet, there is more than just that.

The record starts nicely and increases its intensity as it develops. Nice riffing and growling vocals that change pitch when necessary, covering a wide range, are delivered with anger. The drumming is pretty tight but I believe the guitars are a tiny bit low behind the rest. Still, you can appreciate them well but a little more volume would have turned things on the heavier side for my taste. The mix is quite clear and that benefits the whole.

I kept listening and paying attention to details but found nothing really new or outstanding; the band at times sounds a lot like early GORGUTS and I love that, as I mentioned before the sound is tight and everything is performed with that tightness, maybe I just have listened to too many bands that have this sound over the years, perfectly executed Death Metal that shows progression and talent.

By the time I reached the third track "In Agony's Clutches" I felt like I had found what I was probably looking for in the album, something that would stand out above the average, which has nice and elaborated structures that flow with brutality. The following track "Where Repulsion Takes Form" also transmits a lot of energy with neck-twisting breakdowns and demolishing beats.

"An Overgrowth of Terror" once again brings me to the "Considered Dead" times... nice progressions and a strong bass line are also accompanied by quick soloing, adding melody to the aggression. I like the grinding snare sound of this track. There are a few drum parts that remind me of HATE's "Resurrection Machine". This is a very elaborate track and actually my favorite from the album.

The album gets a bit on the Thrash Metal riffing side in "Suicidal Pandemia" and "Endangered".  Yet the vocals, remain on the Death metal side and are performed effortlessly, sounding natural rather than forced. The drums at all times are massive force behind it all. The closing track "MLD" is a beast as well!

This is not an album I had to let grow on me, but one that gave me probably the wrong impression at start, since I could not feel after the first two songs that this would stand out among other albums in the genre or other bands on this level, but it does. All in all, this album is consistent, and strong, For those seeking for the feeling of the old school but mixed with nice progressions that bring it up to today's standards. Check it out!