MUSIC FOR A MIND UNGLUED

The following is a repost from The Blackened Throne, which, for all intents and purposes, is a previous iteration of the blog you see now. 

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Alabang-based quintet Brimstone in Fire, in the 20-odd years they have been in the local metal scene, have eked out a niche with their brand of death metal. Their most recent release represents an evolution of sorts—not as much of their world view as much as of their sound. With two cuts from this disc reaching the double-digit mark in age, you would think that this release is a touchstone. Boy, you couldn't be more wrong. This release is a fucking pillar.

Entitled "LIVE+ 2012.01.07," this EP contains five tracks of mid-paced technical death metal in its rawest, most unapologetic form. Bereft of any pretense, the soundscapes you will hear are of a mind unglued, its mortal shell bending to its wiles. What follows after you pop the disc in your CD player is a 20-minute aural bludgeoning tempered only by the desire to unleash vistas the likes of which you may not see, should you live your common life. 

Opener "Gouging the Eyes of the Clairvoyant" sets the pace for some mid-ranged goodness, with  memorable riffs and an equally memorable last line. "Glimpse of A Future" is mind-fuckery incarnate, with time signatures that can make your casual jazz listener blush, courtesy of Mikah Azurin and Christian Igna. "Putrescence" is, in my opinion, the track most suitable to bang your head along to, and I do not mean that disparagingly. Starting with a Swedeath vibe as the foundation for some awesome riffs, guitarists Dondi Bunye and Isa Pilapil bash your head in while still keeping you on your toes. 

The last two tracks, "Winter" and "War in My Thoughts," are what I hinted at in the opening paragraph of this review. The former was released as part of a split with San Pablo, Laguna-based Pathogen in 2009 that goes by the name of "All Flesh Fades" (with Dethrone frontman Lloyd Isberto on throat and rhythm guitar), the latter, part of an archaic compilation from Ivory Records entitled "Sa Kabilang Anyo ng Buhay," (with Ado Ortiz on lead guitar, Chris Carbonell on bass, and Noel Queja on vocals), released in 1994. The similarities end there, apparently. "Winter" sounds more abrasive and harsh; its overall feel made manifest from the get-go, while "War" is made more representative of the eye in this less-than-half-an-hour maelstrom; putting you right in the middle of where the chaos is, and not letting up in calculated intensity until the last note.

The soundscapes you hear are made madder by the pipes of Ian Cuevas, who joined Brimstone in Fire alongside Isa Pilapil (one might remember them from the thrash trio Demiurge. I sure do). Save for the clean vocal parts on "Glimpse," Cuevas' throat assault is up front, as if to say, "If you don't accept what you're hearing, I'll beat it into you!" The result is most evident in "Gouging" and "War."

Recorded on January 7, 2012, the initial run for this EP was 50 discs, and it was referred to by guitarist Dondi Bunye as a "rush job" (the quintet were in Davao for a gig with Manila's Insane Bazooka Productions, when they brought Taiwan's Revilement to our shores a few months back). I say in earnest, though, that this release could not be more solid. Track this down! [unhinged-music.net]