Review: Very little information was provided to 20 Buck Spin regarding Dead In The Manger when the label was initially contacted about a release - only that the band plays a mix of depressive black metal and grind (which seemed on paper an impossible combination), and that their intention is to instill feelings of unease and despondency in the listener. Nonetheless, a cursory listen to "Transience" leaves no doubt that on their debut mini-LP Dead In The Manger creates music both brutally violent and coldly agonizing.
"Transience" opens with a repetitive, atmospheric motif, conjuring a bleak sadness that sets the stage for an urgent right turn to scalpel-sharp, high-BPM aggression and multiple stab wounds of hate-driven malcontent. Filled with ill-will and revulsion, Dead In The Manger walks a fine line between all-out sensory violence and post-trauma exhaustion.
At just six songs in under 20 minutes, "Transience" destroys the listener with a calculated premeditation, and is a first glimpse at what Dead In The Manger have in store. A debut full-length album is in the works currently and will see a release via 20 Buck Spin later in 2014.
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