In the present time of mindless technical extremities in the realm of metal, is it too much to ask for some no-nonsense headbanging experience ? The newcomers from Canada might have a solution for this. Harvested is a death metal band with members from Ontario and Quebec. Taking inspiration from classic metal legions, their sound describes an amalgamation of old school death metal with modern touch. The band dropped their debut EP "Apathetic", and I'm here to discuss about it.
The title track “Apathetic” pummels your brain to the crushing onslaught of brutal grooves while layering the fast technical elements on top. Adam Semlers channelizes his inner monster with his vocal roars, swiftly changing from the guttural lows to insane highs. Harvested perfectly siphons the essence of Decapitated, while adding more power and brutality to it. A track representative of Narcissism and lack of Empathy, these walls of sound express that to its core.
The intro to "Bludgeoned" instantly reminds me of Nile's ferocity in "Utterances of the Crawling Dead". The track perfectly swivels the riffs of old-school death metal with blasting double bass beneath it, while incorporating modern elements like Gojira pick scrape. The melodic guitar solo in the later-half acts as quite the contrast to the overall madness the band unleashes. Not to forget the bass solo at the end, which is definitely the stellar element of the song. "Delirium" seems to be an extension of where "Bludgeoned" left - guitarist Mitch Dimitriadis sounds no less than a machine with his intense tremolo riffs with moments of catchy phrases and shred blasts. While the former speaks on "Schizophrenia" and "Paranoia", the latter describes the mayhem coming from a chaotic mind, bound in an insane Asylum.
"Incognitive" carries on the legacy of old Cannibal Corpse (especially "The Bleeding" era), while combining slower Soreption grooves and chunky caveman riffs from Hath. The stuff is not too complex for your mind to comprehend - it's simple, effective, and makes you headbang till you break your neck! The final track "Bereavement" encompasses all the elements previously heard on the record, recapturing the essence of brutal death metal for the last time.
