Review: “Revelation In Purity” by Imperishable

“This album started with just a few ideas between Alex and me, and has now taken on a life of its own, and we’re damn proud of what we’ve achieved here. It represents where we were at the time. Musically and otherwise. The pandemic, the birth of my son, the loss of immediate family, etc, it’s all in there. It’s an honest record that is a bit more raw and recorded old-school. There’s no quantizing or samples on the drums. Minimal edits across the board. We wanted it to sound good, but not over-polished. A lot of that is in capturing the performance. So, you might not hear every note perfectly, but the conviction is there, and that’s what matters. If this is your thing, you’ll love it. It’s a kick in the teeth”  ~ Brian Kingsland, vocals and guitars

Rumours have long circulated like vultures waiting to pick at the bones of carcass of a Death Metal trio comprising guitarist and vocalist Brian Kingsland (Nile, Enthean), bassist Alex Rush (Olkoth, Enthean) and drum legend Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation). Those rumours were confirmed as true when in July 2024 a three track demo from Imperishable surfaced, offering twelve and a half minutes of tight, grinding Death Metal with a dark and foreboding atmospheric and a weighty groove. Thirteen months on and a debut full length album from the group has arrived, wrapped in artwork by Nestor Avalos (Bloodbath, Deicide, Lacabra), having been mixed and mastered by Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, The Contortionist) and with rhythm guitars re-amped by Ronnie Bjornstrom (Buried Realm, Ghosts of Atlantis, Behölder).

Blackened Death Metal riffs and frenzied drumming bring “Oath Of Disgust” to life, some almost choral vocal parts after the initial savage uncleans something that will catch more than a few off guard. Obvious influences in the 90’s Florida Death Metal are found in the heavier, groovier parts but there is more to this feral animal than meets the ear. A soaring, scorching solo with its roots firmly in Scandinavian Black Metal confirms that notion, as does the dark and brooding atmospheric opening to “Exclusion Continuum“, the trio blurring the lines between subgenres with style, grace, vim and vigour. Staccato riff breaks build into seismic grooves of old school stature but when the death growls call upon the winds of plague, nothing but total annihilation awaits. Kingsland’s vocal delivery is one of the strengths of these tunes to help you breathe more easily, his unclean tones allowing for the lyrics not to be misinterpreted. “Revelation In Purity” changes the angle of attack with rampaging riffage and galloping drums swiftly reaching neck snapping speed. There is however time for a little pomp and circumstance in the second half as the trio reduce the temperature from a boil to simmer for a melodic moment before building the mountain once more. A powerful statement piece that is utterly timeless, it makes you wonder just how far this project could go if given the time and energy.

Throwing their bullets in the fire and running like hell, “Spewing Retribution” finds the Imperishable war machine locked in overdrive, rampaging through the fields with eyes set to kill. Roddy’s jackhammer footwork and constant blasting makes way for a couple of fleeting moments of Death Thrash inspiration, including a little whammy bar action and a face melting solo. The end result of their alchemy is a tempestuous tune of new found power that commands your attention. Who knew that Kingsland had the vocal pipes capable of doing a Layne Staley styled moment? That rears its ugly head during the atmospheric introduction of “Iniquity” before the band unleash merry hell with both barrels and go all out for blood. That being said there is some dark melancholia in the mid section, a dance macabre which returns to that Alice In Chains styled thing in haunting fashion. There are plenty of moments on the record where guitar layering has been put to good use with a second guitar adding rhythms and “There Dead Omens Croon” is just one example; in order to play it live, the trio need to become a quartet. Mesmerising leads and powerful rhythms laced with electrifying energy fill this poison chalice to the brim, the cup overflowing when a fleeting moment of whammy bar drop soloing sends a shiver down the spine. This one could go on another verse and chorus happily but instead cuts short at 160 seconds, making way for the seven minute surpassing magnum opus that is “The Enduring Light Of Irreverence“, a track that is very much the summation of the bands sound in one easy to swallow victory pill. Front loaded with groovy riffs that will get you nodding your head, this one churns and burns the immense power that Roddy generates on the kit absolutely incredible. Rush’s bass becomes a second rhythm guitar at points, a solo rising to the surface as the band enter Progressive Death Metal territory before yet another ripper of a guitar solo. Slowing things down for a longer instrumental passage and a second, sweeping solo blows the mind, the fade out almost a little too early to hear it all. A majestic Death Metal album, this one is one you’re going to want to hear [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Oath Of Disgust
2. Exclusion Continuum
3. Revelation In Purity
4. Spewing Retribution
5. Iniquity
6. There Dead Omens Croon
7. The Enduring Light Of Irreverence

“Revelation In Purity” by Imperishable is out 29th August 2025 via Everlasting Spew Records and is available over at bandcamp