Death Metal is a subgenre of Metal that allows any experiment musicians want to do, in a way that it seems to gain new stamina as time passes by. Even the mixing between Old School Death Metal aspects with modern Death Metal outfits is welcome, and can show fine results. One of them is heard on “Haunting Charnel Grounds”, the first release of the New Zealand duet IFRIT. As described above, these guys are mixing influences of Old School Death Metal of the 90s (as some instrumental tunes used on the guitars and some arrangements, along with the technical care that existed between 91 and 95, and a sickening appeal on the guitar solos) with actual Death Metal traits (as the aggressive impact and the energy flow, along with the defined way the grunts are used).

Although it’s their breakthrough, it’s really a great result, showing that the duet knows what they’re doing. The production worked to build a sonority that could be actual and defined, but considering the use of some visions of the past (as the tunes used on some guitar riffs). It’s really possible to understand what they’re playing without problems, and the band brings as guests Jiji Aligno (on the lead guitars), George Prowse (bass) and David Arnold (drums). And the artwork of Vhan Artworks for the cover brings to the mind that we’re dealing with a Blackened Death Metal act.

After a short intro comes a sequence of massive Death Metal cyclones with “Sites Unhallowed” being brutal and fast, based on sharp guitar riffs and insane solos; “Salts of Penitence” keeping the technical appeal using slower parts (with very good somber ambiences of the guitars) before exploding into a massive and fast Death Metal song (with intense drumming and solid bass playing); and “Howling Catacomb” keeps the technical aspect on a high level, even being brutal and with that great Death Metal impact. And as a gift, here they present their version for “Watain”, an old VON song (from their legendary Demo Tape released on 1992).

IFRIT’s music is a very good experience to have, so dive into the abyss with “Haunting Charnel Grounds” and hope that a full-length of the band is coming is soon as possible.