Review: “Imperious” by Inexorable

At the beginning of December 2021 Inexorable caught our attention with the debut EP “Immortal“, a three track effort featuring a cover of “California Uber Alles” by Dead Kennedys as vocalist Matt Alleger and multi instrumentalist Dustin Smith (Guitars, Bass, Drums) found their feet, style and direction as a new band beginning a journey of creation in Metal. Rising from the ashes of previous failed projects the duo joined forces with shared interests in War, Politics, Culture as well as a sick sense of humour while creating Death Metal and taking inspiration from bands Dying Fetus and Dimmu Borgir, the only surprise being how quickly their debut full length album has followed that EP out of Hell’s gate…

Inevitably picking up where their debut EP left off, “Not My Funeral” begins the second reign of terror from Inexorable with a powerhouse slab of Old School Death Metal that allows Dustin Smith to showcase his prowess with leads over some well executed tempo shifts. An atmospheric piece with ethereal tinges from orchestration it brings several crushing almost downtempo bridge section with the noose swinging like a pendulum back to faster moments with consummate ease. While the drums are programmed they’ve they’ve been done so tastefully and for the most part sound like Gene “The Atomic Clock” Hoglan played them, such is their metronomic power. That means that a drummer of flesh and bone should be able to play these patterns without too much difficulty, the ironic part of that being that Smith’s choice of a Solar 7 string on rhythm and a Dean Razorback for leads into the Nolly DPS plugin actually gives him a guitar tone that is reminiscent of Strapping Young Lad. “Static” is more of your classic mid tempo rumbler, lifted by a more traditional solo but it’s the sinister and menacing qualities that the band have introduced with the use of synths on “As The Sun Sets” that really grabs the attention. Building on the ethereal qualities of the albums opening cut, this quiet evolution in the bands sound adds a new and unexpected dimension while being no less heavy.

That develops into the dark and twisted whispered opening vocal of “The Cage” which sounds like the thoughts of someone held in Arkham Asylum floating on the wind while they rock gently back and forth. Keys and an icy touch while the pummelling rhythms drive the coffin nails home in Old School style. There is an obvious comparison with the early work of Mushroomhead or their side project Pitch Black Forecast here with a dramatic flair being put to good use in another left field but welcome move as the duo expand their horizons. Stylistically it’s not that big of a leap of faith but it is enough to create a ripple on the calm of the mill pond when a stone is skimmed. Matt Alleger is a solid unclean vocalist whose tone is such that the lyrics are all audible while still sounding demonic enough to sing Death Metal with grit and integrity. There is an intensity to his voice which makes it feel commanding and while he doesn’t offer as much variety as some, what he does is throat splitting enough to call for a Doctor. Arguably the biggest surprise on the record is “World War Now” which has grindcore inspired bursts as it cranks things up a notch with some unexpected new levels of aggression, something repeated with some choral ethereal additions in finale “One Light“. The growth is immeasurable, the new ideas are fresh, innovative and leave you as the first record did… wanting more [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Not My Funeral
2. Static
3. Angels Fade
4. As The Sun Sets
5. The Cage
6. Cultist Deity
7. Extinction
8. World War Now
9. One Light

“Imperious” by Inexorable is out 14th June 2022 via Sliptrick Records