Review: “Meritoriousness of Equanimity” by Eximperitus

Having mused on themes of Sumerian and Babylonian mysticism, Occultism, Anti-Cosmic, Annihilation and Death since their inception in 2009, Minsk Belarusian Technical Death Metal horde Eximperitus (also known as  “Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulwel”) have returned with a third album in “Meritoriousness of Equanimity”. Described as something of a Pandora’s box of sharp objects, the follow up to their widely praised 2021 sophomore album “Šahrartu” is said to contain nine independent compositions united by an over arching theme. Searching for inner support in an era of turbulence, while simultaneously exposing and scourging of social dogmas and morbid tendencies on the ruins of the old world…

What does it all mean? Well the album title itself “Meritoriousness of Equanimity” refers to the ability to retain a calm, composed and balanced state of mind no matter what the circumstance, that inner stability considered a virtue in both philosophical and spiritual realms. That should be enough to tell you that there is plenty for the deep thinkers with the confines of this record, which despite its long song titles is actually more succinct than you might expect. The party gets started with “One Step Long Infinity.” which sounds like a phrase belonging to Buzz Lightyear and hits with the brutality of classic Nile but with Cosmic rather that Egyptian theology. Bowel clenching low death growls alongside churn and burn guitars and rumbling bass should be more than enough to awaken demons on distant planets, the track flowing into “Contemplation of the Plastic Fibers of Perfection at the Second Level of Reality.” like the pair were conjoined twins separated at birth in the studio. This one has an ethnic moment early on before building an eerie sense of comic dread with an interesting melody. A majestic extended solo offers a little vibrancy before a return to gravity blasting, the richness of the piece not lost despite the bludgeoning. In the right context, brutality can be beautiful too. Melodic interlude piece “Twelve Centuries of Triumph of the Third Kingdom…” takes the discerning listener down the Alice’s rabbit hole, offering something more progressive with bluesy overtones and deceptively uplifting warmth. An instrumental of majestic power, it bleeds into the start of “Finding Consistency in the Fourth Quadrant of Eternity.“, a track which exudes the kind of mid tempo chug with Melodic Death Metal leads that made “King Of All Kings” by Hate Eternal so damn good. The surprise is some clean vocal parts which sound like tired cries to a God who doesn’t answer.

The tectonic plate shifting “The Untimely Fruit of the Unsaid.” continues the journey through Death Metal sounds with some majestic mid tempo lead guitar parts as the the percussive battery rumbles like distant gunfire in a war torn land. The extended solo is utterly spellbinding, the crushing, weighty and occasionally undecipherable lyrical narrative the single heaviest part of the track. Not that it matters because everything you need is conveyed with the dark and oppressive atmosphere, which like dark clouds overhead is broken by shards of light from those lead guitar parts. “Golden Chains for the Construction of Individual Greatness.” injects a little more energy with another vibrant solo that borders on flamboyant before a melodic break. You can just picture this record being enjoyed by someone like Kevin Talley or Gene Hoglan with its impressive performances from behind the kit alongside the depth and texture of the sonic abrasions. The surprise is that as a whole the album is actually quite uplifting.

Track Listing:

“Meritoriousness of Equanimity” by Eximperitus is out 30th January 2026 via Willowtip Records and is available over at bandcamp