Review: “Inexorable Entropy” by Escarnium

Known for weaving themes of misanthropy, decadence and nihilism into their Death Metal material, Escarnium have been a growing concern since their 2009 demo first appeared on the scene. Honing their craft over the past sixteen years, the four piece have forced out a trio of split EPs with Inside Hatred, Incarceration and Rotborn, not to mention a trio of EPs and three albums in their own right, many of which have received praise from fans and critics alike. Now the four horsemen of the apocalypse return with a fourth studio album titled “Inexorable Entropy” for us to destroy our ear canals with. That was something only made possible with the help of Sergej Dukart (Disasseln, Infected Chaos, Processor) at Walzwerk Tonstudio in Weilheim, Germany, who recorded Victor Elian’s vocals in August 2024 before mixing and mastering the album in October of the same year…

“Inexorable Entropy” begins with a warning about the use of the “Fentanyl” in a haunting introduction sequence that sounds like it was left over from an 80’s horror movie. Drummer Nestor Carrera provides the eerie keyboards that wrap themselves around the conversation and the piece acts as the perfect palate cleanser, clearing the mind and setting a dark tone before the headrush of “Relentless Katabasis” consumes all in its path. A fiery, fierce and yet darkly atmospheric cut with an eerie and unsettling mid section, the opening cut proper covers a lot of territory. Providing venomous blast beats and throat shredding vocals is essential but here the four piece have created something that has both the gravitational pull and crushing power of a black hole. The disturbing atmospheres continue into “Cancerous Abyss“, a cut frontloaded with restless and relentless percussive battery before finishing with an eerie, haunting melody. It also features the first solo from guitarist  Alex Hahn, however it is far from virtuoso and doesn’t require a flame retardant suit to listen to, unlike the rest of the material. The sound of a dripping tap sends a chill down the spine before title track “Inexorable Entropy” surfaces, Elian’s demonic roars doing nothing to disguise the harrowing lyrical narrative. Floating downstream into Progressive Death Metal waters with brooding atmospheres, Hahn then plunges us into the bloody water with a blistering solo of immense stature.

After such a towering title track you might have been forgiven for thinking that Escarnium were going to offer up some light relief. Instead they continue to pummel the discerning listener into the ground with the monstrous “The Heritage“, a Blackened Death Metal cut of the highest order. Rumbling bass registers on the Richter scale as the tornado of drumming whips up a storm but its the powerful rhythm guitar parts that inflict the most damage here, the whammy bar drop solo in the final moments an absolute pleasure. “Revulsion Of Carbon” then hits like a blunt force trauma to the skull, yet more eerie moments inflicting psychological damage between demonstrations of rhythmic prowess. It’s the kind of tune you probably shouldn’t listen to if you’re feeling paranoid in the dead of night because it will have your mind playing tricks on you pretty damn quick if you’re not careful. Originally released as a single in 2022, a new rendition of “Through The Depths Of The 12th Gate” is 17 seconds shorter than the original but no less earth shattering. It fits well within these surroundings with Hahn’s dissonant leads are at points almost ethnic in origin and some of the accompanying drum fills reaching tribal levels but never going all out. Interlude “Ashen Path” feels like a walk through a post apocalyptic landscape, creating the pillars on which grand finale “Pyroscene’s Might” stands. Riffs that hint at inspirations from Krisiun and perhaps even Suffocation rise to the fore, the swirling darkness showing no sign of dissipating as it plays out… [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Fentanyl
2. Relentless Katabasis
3. Cancerous Abyss
4. Inexorable Entropy
5. The Heritage
6. Revulsion Of Carbon
7. Through The Depths Of The 12th Gate
8. Ashen Path
9. Pyroscene’s Might

“Inexorable Entropy” by Escarnium is out 9th May 2025 and is available over at bandcamp.