Self-Titled [E.P.]

Review Score: 8.0

Reviewed By: Johnny Ibay

Negative Prayer‘s self-titled EP is a sonic blitzkrieg of death tinged d-beat that pummels the senses and leaves the listener reeling. Guitarist/vocalist Kyle House (Decrepisy, ex-Acephalix, ex-Poison Idea, ex-Vastum) and drummer Charles Koryn (Chthonic Deity, Decrepisy, Funebrarum, VoidCeremony), are both veterans of the extreme metal scene and have crafted an unrelenting and ferocious assault on the status quo.

The EP’s opening track ‘Morbid’ sets the tone with House’s guttural vocals and downtuned d-beat/mosh riffs, combined with Koryn’s thunderous drumming to create a dark and aggressive vibe reminiscent of a straight ahead punk version of Machetazo. The lyrics present a bleak and nihilistic worldview, suggesting that life is a never-ending cycle of struggle and hardship, and that there is no greater purpose to existence beyond enduring pain and ultimately dying alone.

The remaining tracks continue in a similar vein, with each one delivering a punishing dose of d-beat/crust combined with lyrical themes of a stark existence and systemic oppression that’s as intense as it is cathartic. House’s guitar work is a study in d-beat-meets-death metal, a style that has been growing in popularity over the past several years and is displayed with exceeding proficiency on this release. The production quality is exactly what I desire in this type of music; clear enough to be discernable but still dirty enough to sound like it crawled out of a sewer.

Negative Prayer‘s self-titled EP is an intense blast of downtuned d-beat thrash and circle pit inducing breakdowns that would be enjoyed by fans of Driller Killer, Wolfpack or Acephalix. With this release, House and Koryn have cemented their status as two of the most uncompromising and talented musicians in the genre. I look forward to more releases and a potential full length from these guys.