LIBER NECRIS is a Blackened Death Metal band from England, formed in 2010, and who have already had the pleasure of sharing the stage with huge bands like NILE, a not unimpressive feat for a band yet to release their debut album. Aptly named after the Egyptian Book of the Dead, LIBER NECRIS have just released their second EP, "Negative Creator". This EP, released earlier this year, lasts just over 15 minutes in total, and is limited to just 300 grey with black splatter vinyl copies.

Whilst classifying themselves as being a Death Metal band, a predilection evident more in their vocal style than anything else, their music is very much influenced by other styles, Black Metal in particular. The drumming and bass guitar provide a strong backbone for the rest of the composition, and the songs themselves ooze all the sepulchre darkness that can be mustered by Black Metal, whilst taking on all the intensity and vicious hatred and brutality that is personified by Death Metal. However, other elements are also amalgamated into the mix, with strains of Trash and even Hardcore shining through. The atmosphere is further thickened by the vocals, which range from inhuman howls more in line with a Black Metal to guttural growls that would put any hell-hound to shame. Similarly, guitar riffs also meander between these two genres. Opening off with the first track "In the Beginning (First Light)", opens with a very Black Metal-esque imposing march that soon launches the listener into chaos-laden almost Core-influenced vocally-driven madness. This auditory barrage is ceaselessly, relentlessly, and effortlessly kept up throughout the EP, giving no quarter until the last song. The final track "The Eulogy of the Earth" provides a good counter-balance to the insatiable onslaught that marked the previous three tracks, taking on a more melodic twist.

Overall, this is a very intense EP, packed with raw emotionality and a ravaging ferociousness that will leave you reeling. The recording quality is also good, perfectly balanced on the precipice of being clean without any sacrifice in rawness. With this release, LIBER NECRIS will undoubtedly simultaneously appease fans whilst leaving them salivating for the long-awaited debut.