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CRITICAL DEFIANCE
No Life Forms

Unspeakable Axe (2022)
Rating: 8/10

No Life Forms is the second full-length release from Chilean thrash act Critical Defiance, and like many albums it’s a long-awaited post-pandemic outing – although it’s one I have a few issues with, mostly in the vocal department.

South America is usually a continent that’s bang on the money when it comes to really organic and authentic-sounding extreme metal, and while the sound of Critical Defiance is one that is reliant on pace and wild solos, the vocals just seem to a bit too erratic in their aggression. It’s not a major flaw because there is so much more to savour here, like the incredible lead work of Felipe Alvarado and Javier Salgado and the riveting drums of Rodrigo Poblete, but it is Alvarado’s vocals rants which cause a slight niggle.

Even so, this is violent thrash metal with death metal connotations as from the off the likes of ‘A World Crumbling Apart’ and ‘The Last Crusaders… Bringers Of Death!’ straddle that fine line between aggressive thrash and death metal; imagine a mix of Dark Angel with classic Sepultura and the likes and it remains unrelenting.

‘Dying Breath’ stands out with its torrential hammering and tides of chaotic riffage, while ‘Elephant’ has a swirling tech-thrash groove as it throws out interesting angles amidst its speed, and that’s where the bass really comes into its own.

I think because the music is so involving it’s quite easy to forget the vocal issues, or maybe I was just opting for a more dehydrated Sadus-esque vocal snap instead of those muscular barks. Even so, there’s no denying the savagery of this album, even at its more melodious.

Elsewhere, ‘Altering The Senses’ showcases the variety within the thrashy framework the band has constructed, ‘Warhead (Emotional Fallout)’ is a ravenous old school death / thrash juggernaut, and the title track begins with a slow chug before taking on a thorny spin.

At times, the ferocity of this opus is overwhelming and the flashes of technicality are to be admired to the point that I’d be more willing to listen to this bereft of any vocals. But as it stands, No Life Forms is still a vigorous thrash assault doused in crossover nuances and brimming with anger and an almost punky edge. If you like the heated vocal chants then you’ll love it even more.

Neil Arnold

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