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NONEXIST
In Praise Of Death EP

Mighty Music (2018)
Rating: 7/10

Providing melodic death / thrash is Nonexist, a Swedish band who so far has issued three full-length albums. The first – Deus Deceptor – emerged way back in 2002, although the band would split two years later and then reform in 2011.

This new EP sees Nonexist in familiar territory; supplying frothing razor-sharp frantic thrash injected with some slick melodious streaks. In Praise Of Death also features a number of guest vocalist – Kalle Nimhagen (Deathening), Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity), Markus Johnsson (Eucharist) and Alexander Wittbom – while Armageddon / ex-Arch Enemy guitarist Chris Amott contributes a solo to the track ‘A Meditation Upon Death’.

It’s very much contemporary by design, in spite of its seething qualities and flecks into Behemoth territory with blackened outbursts and gusts of technicality within the framework. That technicality is borne from the talents of Nonexist mainman and axe wizard Johan Reinholdz, who brings those effective progressive jolts and meanders from opener ‘Cancerous Disembodiment’ and the classy ‘A Meditation Upon Death’.

The fascinating drum patterns also provide the backbone for a series of at times astounding instrumental passages threaded with sparkling leads. Far from being just standard fast metal, Nonexist provides sheen constructed of those stirring leads, dynamic rhythms and simmering segments of play whereby we’re suddenly led away from the thrash attack to be overwhelmed by a staggering degree of musicianship.

With other tracks such as ‘Bloody Carnal Sorcery’ we find ourselves immersed in a clinical world that drifts into an Arch Enemy style of craftsmanship whereby modern deathly romances toy with blistering passages of gleaming thrash sensibility, although the heaviness is sometimes sacrificed for those progressive elements.

Having said that, it’s hard to fault an EP that is rather short at just over 20 minutes, and by the time closer ‘Reduced To Ash’ reaches its final breath, one remains somewhat unfulfilled and yet entertained by the mash-up of steely projections and rampant sections which allow those slithering leads to trickle and squirm so nicely.

There is a consistent dark mood throughout that enables the opus to maintain its cold, brooding air. But the focal point is those solos, many of which are blistering and chaotic and yet always controlled in such an environment.

For the thrash purists out there, ‘Dead Black Embrace’ will certainly appeal with its batten down the hatches approach. Although the lapses into self-indulgence still emerge, it’s hardly guitar masturbation to detract from the quality of the whole EP.

Overall, In Praise Of Death is a clean, cutting albeit fluctuating outing steeped in melody and mood.

Neil Arnold

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