Stillbirth is a German death metal band formed in 2002 and play Death, Grind and Slam. Their latest offering is due 31st August titled ‘Annihilation of Mankind’ via Unique Leader records, and it is safe to say that it is a slab of uncompromising brutality, meant for purveyors of the brutal metal sound.
The album begins on a killer note with introductory track “Fictional Entertainment” featuring heavily impacting bass lines acting as foundations to the amazing guitar work. With some noteworthy transitions, it moves to “Enemy of the Enemy”, during which one can be sure that it is going to be a pretty straightforward slamming death metal record. The song structures are comprised of the known elements of breakdowns and pig squeals. There are a lot of Deathcore influences apparent throughout, especially the seldom use of techno/electronic based breakdowns, which I personally do not dig.
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Tracks such as the earlier released “Psychological Manipulation” and “The Sky turns Black” stand out in the album, while all other tracks seem to have been created for the only purpose of breaking necks.
This album reminded me of those times I had just started to explore Death metal, I had slowly started to pass though from the likes of mainstream acts such as Cannibal Corpse, Death, Morbid Angel etc. to the rather more underground domains. However as time faded, most of them actually turned out to be monotonous music that brought nothing new to the table. The more bands I listened to, the more they sounded the same with little to almost no attempt to innovate or take risk. Yes, they were brutal and head bang-able enough but in the end they failed to invoke any feelings and make a connection with the soul. And hence, it became a more of genre I would limit only to respective gigs because they were fun and good to mosh and head bang to, and would ensure me having a good time.
For me the Album “Annihilation of Mankind” would fall into a similar category. While I totally dig the constant debauchery and the nastiness in the music, I definitely do not find myself remembering it for a long time and would sadly see it slowly drown into my ocean of forgotten bands. Though this in no way shall or can undermine the band’s credibility or musicianship capabilities. They sure have crafted an album to completely hook avid lovers of the genre. The songs are sure to raise hell in moshpits and while it lets the fans have a good time and gives the band a view of sick people colliding and raising their horns, it should be a win-win for all. A definite win for metal to say the least
Stillbirth’s “Annihilation of Mankind” is an album created with the only motive of melting your brains. While the album packs enough ammunition for an epic gig, it may not be the one looking to find its place among the forward thinking works of our times.