HORRENDOUS is a Death Metal band based out of the east coast region of the United States. Formed in 2009, the band had previously release two full length albums. "Anareta" is the band's third, and contains eight tracks.

"The Nihilist" has a tentative opening, obviously holding you in suspense until the onslaught that is to come. Vocally I haven't really heard this unique style before. They are Death vocals but the harshness is done in anguish that might register on the Black Metal scale. The instrumentation is fairly straightforward and not overly complicated, but there are some riff changes here and there that you might expect. "Ozymandias" kicks it old school style, like something you might hear state side when the movement began. It's more of a mid-tempo number with a running riff fueled by tortured vocals. One thing you don't hear a lot of is double bass or blast beat drumming, which I have to say I appreciate as it can be done to a fault. They even allow some melody to poke through in a surprising twin guitar moment. "Siderea" is a real highlight here. A four minute instrumental, it boats elements of Doom and Melo-Death and really charts a well composed song with power and meaning. "Polaris" is a solid track as well. The underlying melodies and structure are unconventional in this genre but really work well with the more brutal and harsh elements. It's like bacon ice cream...it combines two things that are seemingly at odds but just work perfectly with each other. Only a skilled and seasoned band can really get in there like this.

"Acolytes" is a seven minute song. The intro quickly gives way to a fast paced track that features some more complicated percussion and really tightly connected instrumentation. Riffs come at you like waves in the ocean, relentlessly hitting you. I like the use of acoustical guitars in "Sum of All Fears," which lead to raw energy and some really striking dual guitar harmonies which are very reminiscent of the band IN FLAMES to me. The song continues to build through a connecting bridge section towards the end, before ending in pure madness. "Stillborn Gods" establishes the melody at the start with guitar and bass dancing and dueling like two vipers in a pit. Once again however they are able to quickly shift gears without missing a beat into a more angry passage, and go back again to melody like pegs that fit perfectly into their spaces. Closing the album is "The Solipsis (Mirrors Gaze)." Throwing caution to the wind, they hit your straight up with a haunting opening melody that is both sad and beautiful at the same time, and completely in juxtaposition with the main body of the song.

Not previously being familiar with their work, I would definitely recommend checking out this album. It's easily harsh and brutal enough for purists but the diversity they bring to the table is what sets them apart from their peers in this genre. It's like asking, how does one pass off an evil specter to a group of kids at a birthday party? Why, stock him well with a plethora of candies and cakes, and supply him with a puppy and a smile!