Review of Apophys - "Prime Incursion"

MID-MAJOR MAYHEM

By: Geoff Teach

Modern death metal’s distinctive brutality has been striving to reach new heights in the early 21st century. With bands old and new pushing the boundaries of speed and technicality, it is no surprise here in 2015 that there is a profusion of adept and proficient acts for your ears to choose from. From North America’s Archspire, Cognitive, and Inanimate Existence to Africa’s Lelahell, Poland’s Decapitated, and Tasmania’s Psycroptic, talented artists the world over are continuing to push the envelope of calculated, cold-blooded extreme metal.

As far as I see it, we can now add The Netherlands’ Apophys to the ever-growing list of accomplished modern death metal outfits. Having recently released their debut full-length Prime Incursion on L.A.’s Metal Blade Records, the Dutch quintet have let loose a barrage of nine tracks that could stir the darkest of souls and convulse the spines and necks of even the most savage beasts. Formed in 2012 and including former members of acts such as God Dethroned and Detonation, Apophys have burst onto the international scene with a resounding crash via Prime Incursion – and the world would do well to take immediate notice.

Stark barbarity paired with structured chaos is the norm on Prime Incursion, and right off the hop, tracks such as “Dimensional Odyssey” and “Miscreants” are key examples of this vicious duality. Apophys are masters of assaulting their instruments with utter abandon while still creating stunning compositions – a trait which is on full display on other gems such as “The Antidote”, “Ego”, and “Humanity’s Epilogue”. Prime Incursion never lets up, and never relents; it keeps coming after you, track after inexorable track. It is available now everywhere Metal Blade distributes to, so go out and procure yourself a copy. You’ll be glad you did.

Keep it Metal! \m/

To check out “The Antidote” from Prime Incursion, just press play below!