On Evolving Cortex, Impursit delivers a murky, claustrophobic slab of modern death metal that leans heavily into atmosphere without losing its aggressive bite. Across three lengthy tracks, the band conjures a suffocating world of thunderous percussion, demonic vocals, and riffs that feel ripped from the depths of some decaying subterranean tomb. While the EP isn’t groundbreaking in terms of structure or style, Impursit compensates with energy, pacing, and a strong command of sonic mood.

From the opening moments, there’s a distinct dungeon-like ambiance that permeates the EP. It’s slow and eerie at first, then quickly swells into blast-beat chaos and cymbal crashes that sound like a thunderstorm erupting in a cave. The drums dominate the mix, often swallowing other instruments in their intensity. While this might feel like a flaw in some contexts, here it adds to the overwhelming texture of the sound—massive, wet, and smothering. The production overall is on the muddier side, but that rawness actually suits the aesthetic Impursit is aiming for. It’s lo-fi in a way that doesn’t feel lazy, just oppressive.

Vocally, the frontperson brings massive, cavernous growls—sometimes so deep and echo-laced they feel like another percussive instrument rather than a narrative tool. There may be a touch of vocal effect enhancement going on, but it complements the otherworldly vibe of the record. While not the most dynamic performance in terms of range, the consistency adds to the hypnotic quality of the songs.

The riffs, for the most part, stay in the pocket—chunky, straightforward, and filthy. They occasionally dip into dissonance or eerie ring-outs to break up the assault, but don’t expect tech-death acrobatics or melodic twists here. This is meat-and-potatoes death metal, built on weight and repetition rather than complexity. What stands out more than any single riff is the band’s control over pacing. Each track runs long but rarely overstays its welcome, thanks to subtle rhythmic shifts and dynamic changes in drum pattern and tempo.

The bass, while not always forward in the mix, does make key appearances—especially in moments where everything else drops out, allowing it to growl and fuzz with a warped, unsettling tone. When it’s audible, it adds a wonky low-end character that offsets the sharpness of the cymbals and guitar noise.

If there's a shortfall here, it’s in variety. By the third track, Evolving Cortex begins to bleed into itself. Some vocal and riff choices feel interchangeable, and the back ends of songs can start to feel less impactful than their openings. Still, the band’s sense of rhythm and raw sonic intensity carries the EP across the finish line with style.

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Evolving Cortex isn’t here to reinvent death metal—it’s here to bury you in it. Between the filthy textures, oppressive pacing, and atmosphere-heavy mix, Impursit crafts a short but memorable dive into the ugliest corners of extreme metal. If they lean harder into the weirder, darker elements next time, they could seriously carve out a distinct niche.