Review: “Fearsick” by Inhuman Condition

Armed with an album and a half of material for what was originally intended to be a new Massacre album, Jeramie Kling (vocals, drums – Venom Inc, Ex Deo, The Absence) and Taylor Nordberg (guitars – Deicide, The Absence) joined up with Terry Butler (bass – Obituary, Death, Massacre, Six Feet Under) to form a new group called Inhuman Condition in the second half of 2020, taking their name from the 1991 Massacre EP of the same title. That material went on to form the spine of the bands debut album “Rat°God” released via Kling and Nordberg’s own Listenable Insanity Records in the summer of 2021 to critical acclaim in the usual quarters and now, a year on, the band have a sophomore release in “Fearsick” adorned by artwork from Dan “Babe Ruth” Goldsworthy (Corpsegrinder, Accept, Cradle of Filth) to test our love of Death Metal…

…with a couple of guest appearances from Massacre guitarist Rick Rozz on the record, the links are just as strong as they were the first time around for the trio. Factor in that this album was written and recorded between Sept-Nov 2019 and Oct-Dec 2021 and it becomes clear that at least some of this material existed at the same time as the bands debut record and we’re going to have to wait for the bands third album to see what they can come up with having fully washed their hands of Massacre when they go on their own. As a power trio, “The Mold Testament” dives straight into the groove orientated Death Metal with the kind of rhythmic prowess you’d expect from a South American act. An all out rampage with galloping drums and throat shredding vocals, a couple of neat tempo shifts and some almost tribal drum patterns making their impact felt, although it has to be said that this one comes across more like a mid album cut as the Thrash influence comes into play during the final solo work. Curiously enough “Recycled Hate” draws the eye before a first note is even played as it has lyrics by Cannibal Corpse drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz. Another pulsating rhythmic pounder it follows a similar template to the album opener with some Thrashier elements in the final onslaught, the Florida Death Metal sound in full effect and no deviation from the steam rollers path required.

A pair of sublime guest solos from Rick Rozz on “I’m Now The Monster” and “King Con” reinforce the middle of the album with some whammy bar drop action, sprinkling stardust on the urgent and aggressive fun of the earlier cuts. As a lesson in late 80’s and early 90’s Death Metal violence “Fearsick” opts for the good clean fun approach, stripping some of these cuts down to their bare essentials, making for something that is an instant reward with none of the complexities of some of the genres tougher listens that reward over time. The clean and crisp modern production coupled with those distinctly old-school vibes pushes that home and while this second record doesn’t have as much of the edge of the first record, it makes up for it with an abundance of groove. “Wound Collector” is the pick of the litter, a rampaging circle pit starter from back to front, dark, sinister and dramatic before the more atmospheric “Fencewalker” brings in the cinematic qualities with an extended instrumental passage of epic proportions straight from a low budget horror movie soundtrack. The final cut is the deepest, “Where Pain Is Infinity“, driving home the nails that went before it to keep the coffin lid firmly shut with an unnerving sinister air that turns into a d-beat chugger of the finest order [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. The Mold Testament
2. Recycled Hate
3. Caustic Vomit Reveries
4. I’m Now The Monster (ft. Rick Rozz of Death, Massacre)
5. King Con (ft. Rick Rozz of Death, Massacre)
6. Hellucid
7. Wound Collector
8. Fencewalker
9. Where Pain Is Infinity

“Fearsick” by Inhuman Condition is out 15th July 2022 via Listenable Insanity Records and is available for pre-order over at bandcamp