Humanity’s Last Breath – Detestor (2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 48:43 minutes | 387 MB | Genre: Metal
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Humanity’s Last Breath
For as long as technology allows lower frequencies to be presentable in a clean, somewhat audible manner, the war for the heaviest guitar tone and hugest kit will continue to be waged with sticks, stones, and bass strings. A desire to be dynamic and musically invigorated will continuously be replaced by the need to sap the life of genre pioneers until 7 octaves below middle C becomes progressive metal’s sweetspot. Whether or not this is perceived to be a progression or the advent of regressive metal is outside of the question; if they could make it heavy, could we make it heavier？ Few are as involved and understanding of this auditory dong measuring contest than Humanity’s Last Breath. While these gents can certainly navigate their instruments, it seems that all that low end is messing with their perception of individuality.
Much to the delight of many a Call of Duty montage editor, Detestor comes with instrumental tracks. It was quite an exciting discovery as it allows a keener sense of attention to be paid to what the band are actually getting up to in the instrument department. Unfortunately, that isn’t all too much. Regardless of key or tempo, you could interchange every riff in Detestor with another riff, and you’d end up with the same EP. It’s not to say the musicianship is bad; there is just no individuality between any of the songs, whatsoever. While it is incessantly clear Humanity’s Last Breath like Vildhjarta, unlike their Swedish brothers in arms, they have no clue about cohesion or dynamics. A crushing assault may be the intention, but too much of one thing is never a good idea. The barrage of triplets and low-fret noodling over time became a character in my head that would pucker its lips and blow 0-shaped kisses while whispering things like “Meshuggah？ More like Meh-sugar” or “Of course we thall”. In a disappointingly short period of time, Detestor becomes stale and heaviness is replaced by mind-numbing repetition. A vocal performance about as expressive and versatile as Spock trapped in a washing machine permeates the full-cast-half of the EP, and ultimately it’s difficult to say whether or not the non-instrumental side was even necessary in the first place.
A fellow colleague of mine once tried to convince me that “djent” was the best thing that ever happened to metal. The style is has had it’s high points with the likes of Sikth, Meshuggah, and Martyr. Until bands such as Humanity’s Last Breath come to realise that lows are not the facet one should focus on when writing a record, however, this post-modern progressive sound will only continue to receive the harsh judgement it does. Atmospheric headbangery may be the end goal; enticing an EP, this is not. They understand their demographic. The appeal for a remorselessly dense production tone may be widespread in the younger progressive audience, but Humanity’s Last Breath have proven that even the densest chugging can’t combat the songwriting of a dense mindset.
Tracklist:
1. Humanity’s Last Breath – Ocean Drinker (04:47)
2. Humanity’s Last Breath – Furvus (05:06)
3. Humanity’s Last Breath – Harm (04:33)
4. Humanity’s Last Breath – Beware (04:59)
5. Humanity’s Last Breath – Detestor (04:55)
6. Humanity’s Last Breath – Ocean Drinker (Instrumental) (04:47)
7. Humanity’s Last Breath – Furvus (Instrumental) (05:06)
8. Humanity’s Last Breath – Harm (Instrumental) (04:33)
9. Humanity’s Last Breath – Beware (Instrumental) (04:59)
10. Humanity’s Last Breath – Detestor (Instrumental) (04:55)
