Let us go back to the early days of death metal back in the early 90’s. Back when the sound was first taking form and becoming forged in flames of brutality. Looking back when some of the names in death were just starting out like NOCTURNUS who formed in 1987, or the band CYNIC, who also formed in 1987, and was considered to be part of the main big four of early death metal. It was here where the sound of death was starting to be refined and gave birth to the mighty MALIGNANCY, before briefly being known as CARCINOGEN.

Emerging out of the flames early in the year of 1992, MALIGNANCY was formed by “Danny Nelson” and former member “Javier Velez” in Yonkers, New York. The following year they released their first demo “Eaten Out From Within” in early 1993. However, after multiple lineup changes, the release of several demos, Ep’s and some great full length albums, these titans have blasted forward throughout the years with their brutal technicality and have just released their latest album. So let's dive in.

“...Discontinued” was released on June 14th, 2024 under the label Willowtip Records and is the band's latest full length album. With 32:44 minutes of intense brutality, this album takes you into a post apocalyptic world of mutation and deformity. This album has those elements of brutality that encases groove driven guitar. These nine tracks are sure to nuke your senses, it hits hard and it blasts by quickly. The album rips through all of your senses while composing a  technical brutal death tidal wave of aggression. 

Looking at the album art we can definitely see the mutagenic aspects of a post apocalyptic world. With some form of sexualized impregnated alien sentient girl holding the corpse of a human, as though to paint the image of an alien lover finding her deceased lover after an apocalyptic battle. The overall feel reminds me of the earlier death metal art but with a modernized touch to it Starting out the album we have “Existential Dread” that doesn't skip a beat and get right into it. A heavy riff kicks off with some timed drum kicks to count in before picking up into an onslaught of technical brutality. The track title definitely fits the tone of the song as “Danny Nelson”, with his beast like false chord growling, vocalizes an existential perception. With a technical breakdown that leads with a scream of anguish, you get that sense of dread.

As I listen through the album “...Discontinued” I do notice quite a lot of similarities in song structure and chord progression. The overall intros into each track follow similar progressions with slight variations. Overall each song starts like a shotgun blast immediately, bombards and you with what seems like sporadic tempos, raging blast beats and solid groove undertones. That being said, this album does hit hard with a torrent of an intense brutal technical sound that pumps the adrenaline. Each song helps paint the overall theme of the album, with those ruthless vocals and savage riffs paired with solid drumming and breakdowns.

“Ancillary Biorhythms” Kind of stood out to me as it has a backing track intro that builds a powerful mood as it talks of the destructive nature of humanity before leading into some solid technical death riffs and sporadic blasts of drumming that hit hard with low growling vocals. “Haunted Symmetry” Starts out heavy and fast with those deep visceral low growls that seems to get right to the point in portraying their fiendish brutality. Having another tormented scream that echoes slightly overtop of some solid riffs, it just hits right and builds the intensity. During the beginning of the closing track “Biological Absurdity”, we get some similar but solid technical chord progressions that pull you in and build up as the track continues. Starting out with those low inhuman growls that switch between higher fry screams then coming back down to those heavy growling vocals. This song is disgusting in all the right ways.

Overall for one of the main original death metal groups of the early 90’s, MALIGNANCY stays relevant and true to their heavy brutal technicalities. With complex time signatures, solid chord progressions and well placed breakdowns. “...Discontinued” is a great brutal technical death metal album with a great production mastering and mixing. This album should be in your collection and would recommend it to any who love death.