When we deal with labels, trusting that they can explain by themselves alone what a whole musical universe has to say, it's a matter of arrogance of our minds. Some need to attach themselves to labels to justify their words in front of the others. Labels are limits, and as all limits on musical world, they need to be transgressed. The Italian quintet THE MODERN AGE SLAVERY really knows what to transgress means, as their new album, "Stygian", is here to prove.

Some would label their music work as Deathcore, others as Death Metal, and others will use a long text to explain. I merely prefer to say that they mix both genres with some influences from other extreme Metal formats, keeping a good level of technique, fine aggressive melodies, and bone-crushing heavy weight. Yes, they are pretty good on what they do, with vocals that use guttural grunts and many screamed nasty voices, along with creative guitar riffs and brutal solos, and an excellent and impacting work on bass guitar and drums. Be prepared, because the violence begins!

Luca Cocconi worked on the recording, and was the mixing assistant to Simone Sighinolfi, who mixed and mastered the album. Their efforts created an aggressive, bitter and impacting sound quality, but clean to the point that even with the low tunes used by the instruments, you can easily understand what they are playing.

The brutal massacre committed on "The Reprisal Within" and "Miles Apart" (both with excellent guitars and many rhythmic changes), the hooking and fast brutality shown on the guitars of "The Place We Call Home" (some melodic fast guitars can be felt in many parts), the oppression made music of "A Stygian Tide" and its nasty vocals, and the charming harmonic lines of "Regression Through Unlearning" can be named as their best moments. But don't you dare to leave aside the monumental and aggressive version for "Sandblasted Skin", an old PANTERA song, that here gained a more Death Metal insight.

Easy to hear, easy to like, so forget the labels and listen to "Stygian" as loud as you can!