Review: “Absolute Imbalance” by Kaosquad

An old school Deathgrind trio from Czechia, Kaosquad unites a collection of musicians known for their prior convictions in Sněť, Morous, Grace, Pyosemia and Lahar. When they’re not busy decimating the weak and thinning the herd at festivals like Obscene Extreme and Fluff Fest or sharing stages with Napalm Death, Undergang or Wormrot they have been known to get a manicure or occasionally wash their hair. After a couple of EPs, a demo and a compilation they have finally managed to commit a debut album to tape sixteen years into their miserable existence. Except they haven’t. A glance at the small print will tell you that the album was recorded between 2020 and 2022 so where it’s been for the past four years is a mystery…

A concept record, it is said to reflect the contrast of today’s world – the artwork visually represents two opposing sides: on one side purity, innocence and harmony; on the other war, corruption and destruction. It begins with the tribal drum patterns of early Sepultura as “Intro-spection” takes shape with classic sinister riffs that warns something wicked this way comes. An old school Death Thrash tour de force “Annihilate” switches the atmospheric darkness of the introduction for speed and intensity, the savage guttural vocals those of a beast from the black depths. A raw interpretation of what was happening in the 90’s Tampa Florida Death Metal scene, this is the kind of blood bath that everyone can enjoy.

The anarchy continues into “Tread On And Crush“, the blood gargling vocals a pleasure you can’t measure that sound like something has been summoned from beyond the void. A false ending mid cut is cleverly worked, the skull rattling drums and bombastic bass enhancing the razor sharp riff attack perfectly. An 88 second burst of violent turbulence “Marrow” makes other bands sound tame in comparison, the Thrash infused riffage a fine example of what is possible when you put your all powerful mind to it.

The gnarly dark beauty of these cuts is that despite being recorded four years ago they haven’t aged and in truth they’re about as much fun as you can have without losing a limb. A rampage through the undergrowth with a machete “Truth Is Out There” is the quintessential gnashing of teeth from a trio possessed by demons from the underverse.

There is a hint at Sludge Metal influences on more than one cut on this record and “Carry The Pain On” is a fine example of that with a spice that’s nice during the chugging first thirty seconds or so before the blast beats and cannibalistic vocals begin. A blood thirsty pleasure it has an interesting haunting acoustic finale that no one saw coming until it was too late. If you expected a power ballad to follow that then you’re mistaken because “False Lives” returns to the bark and bite with urgent ferocity, the spellbinding solo a nice touch.

The nasty single verse blast that is “Lined Up” feels like its the bastard child of Carcass and Napalm Death, setting the scene for the vicious “Shellshock” by providing covering fire. Another glorious collection of old school Thrash riffs and hitherto unheard bowel clenching low death growls, it cuts against the grain of the dry throated raspy main vocal nicely. “Reckoning” rattles more than a few cages with this vicious tirade, the band taking a leaf from the early years of Entombed to create something of old school verve and swagger. Death is coming, resistance is futile.

The bass heavy parts of “Wounds From Past” sound like something Prong would have come up with in their finest hour, this grand finale approaching the nose bleed territory of five minutes on the night side. It remains captivating however, plunging the discerning listener into realms of debauchery and decay, the spoken word moment gloriously dark an ominous [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Intro-spection
2. Annihilate
3. Tread On And Crush
4. Marrow
5. Truth Is Out There
6. Carry The Pain On
7. False Lives
8. Lined Up
9. Shellshock
10. Reckoning
11. Wounds From Past

“Absolute Imbalance” by Kaosquad is out 10th April 2026 via Phobia Records and is available over at bandcamp