Sanity Slip’s latest album definitely brings the heavy, no doubt about it. From start to finish, it’s a relentless assault of crushing riffs and aggressive energy. However, the problem with this release is that it feels a bit too familiar, and by the end of the EP, you may find yourself thinking, “Okay, I’ve heard this before.” The band seems to be relying on a formula that, while effective, doesn’t offer much variation. The structure is almost predictable at times—slow, heavy chugs giving way to fast, intense death metal sections, followed by the vocalist’s callouts, and then a breakdown. Rinse and repeat. While this formula works for a while, it starts to feel a bit repetitive as the EP progresses, and you may find yourself longing for a little more innovation or variation in the approach.
That said, one thing I really appreciated throughout this album was the production. You can tell the band put time, effort, and probably a decent budget into making sure it sounds top-notch. The mix is solid, and the overall feel of the album is polished—especially for a band of this style. The guitars have the heavy, crunching sound you’d expect from a death metal release, and the drums hit hard with good clarity. The production definitely adds to the heaviness and intensity, and it’s clear they’ve worked to make sure their music sounds as powerful as it can.
However, there are a few hiccups. The vocals, in particular, are a bit hit or miss. There are moments where the screams, especially the high-pitched squeals, feel too buried in the mix, making them hard to distinguish. At other times, the callouts come across a little awkwardly, lacking the punch you’d expect in those climactic moments. It’s not that the vocals are bad—they just feel a bit off at times, which detracts from the overall impact of the songs.
Ultimately, if you're in the mood for some heavy, fun death metal with solid production values, this album will probably scratch that itch. But if you're looking for something that pushes the boundaries or offers something new, you might be left feeling underwhelmed. It’s a fun ride while it lasts, but it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. Sanity Slip has the heaviness down, but the lack of variation in their songwriting holds this release back from truly standing out.
RATING: 5.5/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Scourge
Bitter Fate