Coming from Dublin, Ireland the city once colonized by the Vikings as a stronghold for their raids on the coastal settlements of Ireland, PLAGUE PIT, has just released an EP to follow their earlier full length release "Topeth Ablaze." Bearing the name "Labyrinthine" the EP is full of askance passages and jaded twists and turns.

The listing starts out on the track, "Accursed Clay" a tough as nails heavy driven song with some spacious refrains. "The Gift Of Unkowning" follows next, its cacophonous drive reminds me a bit of BLACK FLAG but the melding of drums and strings are wholly original. The guitar features a slew of odd progressions that in any other context wouldn't make sense, yet within the stylings of PLAGUE PIT they work just fine. Starting with bass, atmosphere, and some displaced chanting, "Feverish Stupor," features an extended intro, fitting as it's the longest track upon the EP. The song follows the same motifs as the rest of the tracks being constructed of odd and jagged fitting riffs sewed together beneath pounding drums and guttural vocals. "Elixir" has a slow build up and overall melancholic tidings though it bounces in and out of faster and slower phrases due to the intricacies of the drums.

Despite the more cacophonous nature of the guitars they never sway or alter from beat and remain consistent throughout each track, the tone is a bit saturated but usually is clear enough to discern from the full band. The bass is heaven and fuzz-laden clearly cutting itself out of the bunching, yet also providing the much needed foundation for the songs. The drums are the greatest part of the EP, being both tight and spacious the drums drive the tone of each song by effortlessly slipping in and out of spaced out toms, and intricate grooves. The vocals are clear cut and depressively guttural, a great addition to the mix.

The EP consists solely of 4 tracks but comes in at an impressive 26 minutes, which is something that many 5 and 6 track EPs cannot manage. The EP is a dedication to carnage and the depravity of the human experience, which makes the music honest and easy to identify with. The muddied guitars and odd-styled riffs might detract some passers-by but anybody with a penchant towards Death Metal might well welcome "Labyrinthine" to their library.