Review: “Greater Than Death” by Inhuman Nature

Hardened road warriors Inhuman Nature have spent the past six long years turning stages to sawdust across Europe alongside many house hold names including but not limited to Crowbar, Heriot and Green Lung. Appearances at Bloodstock, Damnation and 2000 Trees festivals have only served to increase their blood lust, something seemingly only abated by spitting out a number of short, sharp and potent releases since their 2019 debut album. Those have included splits with Road Mutant and Ninth Realm, a pair of live albums and of course 2022 EP “Under The Boot“. Recorded at The Stationhouse in Leeds by James Atkinson (Carcass, Higher Power, Send More Paramedics) and mastered by Brad Boatright (Nails, Drain, Gatecreeper) at Audioseige we expect more Crust Punk, Thrash, Doom and Death Metal with an injection of Hardcore as they unveil sophomore album “Greater Than Death“…

Introduction piece “From the Shadows” has the air of an early 80’s science fiction horror film score with the clanking of chains before a brief spoken word from Chris Barling unleashes “Dawn of Inhuman Man“, an adrenalized, full throttle, high caffeine overdose of ripping Thrash Metal. Reminiscent of recent works by Electrocutioner and Raider from across the pond, it hits hard with hints of Death Metal influence and harsh vocals from Barling before lead guitarist Ben Taylor pulls the trigger on a scorching solo that rips through the ear canal like bullet only to ricochet around the skull. Keeping the quality of the recording purposefully on the raw side harnesses the nostalgia of the tape trading days of the genres beginnings, something matched by the imagery of the artwork that brings to mind the likes of “Golden Axe” and “Streets Of Rage” on the Sega Mega Drive. The momentum continues into “Possessed to Die” with rumbling bass and abrasive guitars accompanying well placed gang chants. Subtle tempo changes making a lot of difference as this audio wreckage thunders through, the Hardcore stomp and crossover appeal all on display as Inhuman nature come out all guns blazing.

Violently turbulent “Servants of Annihilation” feels like it was recorded in one take, live on the floor with a couple of crazy bits of lead as Barling roars “Welcome the End!” after depicting the kind of apocalyptic future that makes The Purge look like Kindergarten Cop. The mosh pit worthy moments stack up like American Pancakes at an all you an eat diner and by the end of this one you’ll be left with more than just a mild sense of concussion. Fleeting respite is offered in the John Carpenter movie inspired synths that introduce “Fortress of Delusion” before a slow, crushing, Doom laden riff sets a foreboding tone. Having lit the Molotov Cocktail, you know they’re going to throw it and moving swiftly through the gears, the intensity increases dramatically as the Simon Grubb gives his all behind the kit. The drum sound isn’t perhaps as crisp and clean as you might like but it is in keeping with the genre in which they perform. “Lines in the Sand II” picks up where the original left off with blood and thunder percussive battery and Barling sounding like a wrathful God about to throw lighting bolts at the naysayers. The gang chant of “Inhuman Nature!” is impossible to resist, the feedback laced crushing riffs crying out for a bangover when this one is played live.

If you were expecting a mid record power ballad then “Greater than Death” ain’t it, the quintet instead ripping the lyric book to shreds as they fire old school Thrash riffs in all directions. Barling’s raspy dry throated vocals descend into an unhinged madness as the menacing and sinister cut unfolds, a fleeting solo before the tracks untimely demise a glorious moment. “Mad Man’s Cage” ushers in the final three cuts with fire and brimstone, a couple of spoken word passages giving this one another dimension to cut against Barling’s fearsome enraged roars. Lyrically it feels more personal, something reflected in the vocal performance as a realm of misery is exposed, a solo and some lead work builds the sense of tension. In turn that creates a foundation of gold and bones for the twilight zone inspired guitars of “The Maze of Eternity“, an instrumental of eerie qualities that allows Taylor the opportunity to pull out some virtuoso leads which he does in style. Saving the best until last “Dead and Buried” finishes the album with a Crossover Thrash masterclass. A powerful statement piece that will no doubt take Inhuman Nature to stages further afield, this is a brilliantly brutal record with a savage enough nature to soothe the mind of even the most hideous of beasts… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. From the Shadows
2. Dawn of Inhuman Man
3. Possessed to Die
4. Servants of Annihilation
5. Fortress of Delusion
6. Lines in the Sand II
7. Greater than Death
8. Mad Man’s Cage
9. The Maze of Eternity
10. Dead and Buried

“Greater Than Death” by Inhuman Nature is out 25th April 2025 via Church Road Records and is available over at bandcamp