Review: “Premalignant” by Feral Forms

Crawling out from the woodwork of the Italian Underground scene, Feral Forms have emerged as a Blackened Death Metal force of growing concern to those in adjacent buildings. Comprised of current and former members of Grime, The Secret, Claustrum and Fierce these four horsemen of the apocalypse come armed with debut EP “Premalignant“, recorded by Alessandro Perosa (Buss, Tytus, My Space Invaders) at Track Terminal Studio in Trieste Italy. Adorned by cover art from the esteemed Ars Moriendee, it was mixed and mastered by Gabriele Gramaglia (Cosmic Putrefaction) and has been granted bail on condition of cassette tape release…

…which in itself was a crime against humanity. Following in the footsteps of bands like Snorlax, this spitting, snarling, venomous sonic abrasion is exactly as the title suggests… Feral. Soaked in feedback and reverb, the battery acid nausea begins with “Hunter of Chaos” which sounds like a beast wondering blindly around an underground cave complex, its howls and roars echoing from the walls of each cavernous chamber. The angular riffs slice and dice at neck snapping pace, feeding off the frenetic energy while the war drums pound in the distance. Ugly, raw and savagely brutal, the beast is untamed and yet there are fleeting moments of Death Groove. Echoing the sentiment, title track “Premalignant” sounds like it was recorded live on the floor, such is the adrenaline rush of free flowing energy. Caught in the Bermuda triangle between Grind, Death and Black, the beast sways striking matches despite being soaked in kerosene, the putrid stench of decay lingering in the air. Skull splitting vocals are so feral that a lyric sheet requires a magnifying glass and forethought to review, the throat merely an instrument of sonic destruction at this juncture. That’s probably a good thing for the depravity of which is spoken is probably enough to drive one to insanity if the tension fueled riffage is anything to go by. “Voice from the Altar” then decimates the weak like a spontaneous combustion, restless and relentless blasting colliding head on with the barbed guitars to create a nightmarish vision only enhanced by the howling, horrifying vocals. If only there were more it might be enough to have the ambulance bring a straight jacket when they come to collect us… [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Hunter of Chaos
2. Premalignant
3. Voice from the Altar

“Premalignant” by Feral Forms is out 15th December 2023 via Night Terrors Records / Filth Junkies Records and is available over at bandcamp.