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Intestine Baalism > Ultimate Instinct > Reviews
Intestine Baalism - Ultimate Instinct

Brutality incarnate. - 95%

RevIsEdgy, August 1st, 2023

Intestine Baalism are known for their relentless brand of Japanese melodic death metal. It's best described as "brutal melodeath" as I've heard people dub it over the years. This band has somewhat of a flawless discography, with their two prior albums being equally breathtaking and punishing.

When I say this is some of the heaviest death metal albums ever written, I am not overstating its brutality one bit. Ultimate Instinct manages to perfectly combine the raw brutality of death metal with the melodic sensibilities that the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene made famous. A big factor in this is the production of this album. It stays so raw and really pays homage to the sound of grimy old school death metal. It works so well with the aggressive low tuned riffs found throughout, and lets each lead cut through the mix beautifully. It almost sounds like a Dismember record the way the beautiful guitar melodies shine in some parts. The mix compliments each instrument perfectly, and the vocals have so much reverb, it sounds like someone being tortured in a dark room.

The vocals across the album are pretty much standard of death metal, with an ugly (but awesome!) twist. They seem to have a very grimy enunciation, and each line sounds crushingly heavy. It's surprising to see these types of vocals in a melodic death metal record, and while I generally prefer the high vocalists of the genre (such as Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquility), these growls are just killer. A particularly heavy part is the outro to track 4 "Awaking"; it ends with a terrifying shriek back into the main riff and it's impossible not to headbang to. These are the kind of sounds goblins and cave trolls dream of making!

On another note, the guitar work is absolutely spectacular. The beautiful, almost Dismember like leads work amazingly (particularly in the intro to track 2 "Cry For The Black Sun") to create emotion and atmosphere. The riffs range from tremolo picked death metal riffs to the notorious Intestine Baalism signature riffing, which is very similar to the infamous riffing on "Slaughter Of The Soul". Intestine Baalism however, manage to utilize the riffs in a fresh and original manner, without repeating or getting boring. Each riff is equally crushing and punishing, and they are all just balls out heavy. Easily some of the best riffs you will hear in all of melodeath.

The entire album is just the right length, and each song is appropriately paced and timed. The songwriting works well and allows for sudden shifts between the band's melodic and brutal tendencies, without being too drastic or excessive. The solos and leads cut through at great times and aid in the melodic factors of the album. Each song has something different to offer, such as "Agony In The Stone Chamber" which offers a more standard death metal type experience, accompanied by crushing blast beats and walls of sound. This record seems to have tons of variation while still staying true to its melodic death metal roots, which is extremely appealing to hear.

Such an amazing package of raw and aggressive melodeath was to be expected from a band of this prestige, and I can't say I underestimated them because they have shown through every release, that they will continue to release their signature branch of "brutal melodeath" which perfects the genre on all levels. The only thing we can do now is await the next release from the masters of Japanese brutality. Don't worry about its quality, this band has proved time and time again that they will always write music of the highest level.

Highlights: Awaking, Dark Surface, Galaxy Of The Black Sun.

Ultimate Instinctual euphoria - 100%

LawrenceStillman, April 21st, 2023
Written based on this version: 2010, 12" vinyl, Metal Inquisition Records (Limited edition)

I actually got a vinyl of this when a college friend of mine had his mother throwing away all his music becasue she claimed that its all satanic and shit, and among them only this one is undamaged. Fucking moral guardians man...

Five years after Banquet in the Darkness, Intestine Baalism released their third full length, and this might be their most diverse and accessible yet. Ranging from Suffocation-esque breakdowns, melodic passages backed by an acoustic guitar, black metal shrieks that makes its return after being absent from Banquet, this album truly marks a return to form for Intestine Baalism.

Every single track here deserves to be highlighted, the composition is diverse and well rounded, and has none of the greasy elements that make listeners want to turn off and take time to recover before listening to it again. The songs are also relatively short this time around (this is their shortest album to date), perfect for a listener that wants something short and crunchy that can accomodate their busy schedule. The satisfyingly bad production will always be here, marking its unique presence in the album that gave it its identity, emphasizing the "death" in melodic death metal.

The riffs and solos are better than Banquet this time around, ditching the more Gothenburg influenced sound for something more atmospheric, ranging from the Suffocation-esque breakdown from Agony in the Stone Chamber, to the atmospheric guitar solo that was accompanied by an acoustic guitar from Cry For the Black Sun, and the NWOBHM inspired riff at the beginning of Dark Surface. And as a bonus, the bass here is finally distinct enough to be audible, more audible than most Japanese extreme metal bands. The drums here are still the same as Banquet however, but it is not much when Kakuzaki took care to balance all 5 instruments (I think death growls are an instrument of its own). Also the intro riff from the title track deserves a mention here, it sounds closer to a more modern Japanese melodic death metal riff instead of something that sounds from the 90s, this shows that they are also getting influences from more modern bands instead of rigidly sticking to their ways of yore.

The death growls this time around are more clear than the previous two albums, it is easier to hear what Kakuzaki is saying, while the shrieks from their debut also made a return too, giving the album a more diverse feel and more contrast, which is something I really like in music in general.

This album is nothing short of a masterpiece from Intestine Baalism. Their fusion of death metal brutality and melody are truly one of a kind, it will be a sad day when they break up for good, but we can only be glad for what they have left for us.

Now, where is the fourth Intestine Baalism album? Its been 15 years already...

Crunchy and Delicious Early 90's-Like Riffs - 100%

SwampOfSatan, May 9th, 2020
Written based on this version: 2008, CD, No Colours Records

Intestine Baalism never disappoint. Every album they've released is a masterpiece, including this one. If you are someone who likes death metal but doesn't really enjoy listening to melodic death metal then you should definitely check this one out. This album is just as good as, if not equal to Intestine Baalism's sophomore album 'Banquet in the Darkness'. This album will remind you of early 90's death metal bands Entombed and Dismember. To me, most of the songs on this album are not melodic death metal, but rather REAL death metal that is melodic.

Every single track on this album is eargasmic. There isn't a single moment on this album that makes me want to turn it off. I've heard a few people complaining about the recording quality, but honestly I just love it. The recording doesn't have too much muffle, nor is it too clean. It gives the album an early 90's vibe - that's what the heart and soul of death metal is all about.

The tracks on this album are very diverse: from the Entombed riff-like heaviness of "Agony in the Stone Chamber to "Cry for the Black Sun", a track so relaxing and soothing that it'll put you to sleep if you listen to it during bedtime. What can I say? The melodic riffs on this album are just pure gold. Honestly, they are some of the best I've ever heard. Just listen to "Wind of Death" and "Galaxy of the Black Sun". Last but not least, the king of all intro riffs: the album's self-titled track "Ultimate Instinct"; the song is later followed up by a beautiful lead guitar solo.

There are two types of vocals on this album: the aggressive guttural vocals ("Longing For Birth") and the high-pitched emotional screams ("Awaking"). The vocalist does a really great job as using his throat as an instrument to the capture the riffs of the rhythm and lead guitars ("Dark Surface"). The bass goes along with the rhythm guitar very well. The drums are just pure raw aggression - something old school death metal fans like to hear.

Both fans of melodic death metal and regular death metal would enjoy listening to this album. Hell, even non-death metal fans would like this album if they heard the softer songs on this album. This album is truly breathtaking.

Thank you Intestine Baalism, for all that you've done.

An amazing album from an underrated band - 98%

BoltThrower1986, August 21st, 2012

This album is quite interesting. Intestine Baalism has always made great albums, and this is no different. It would be hard to top their masterpiece "Banquet In The Darkness", but they might have come close with this album. It is just short of a 100%, because it didn't have the "masterpiece-worthy" factor, although it had awesome songs.

Variety is what Intestine Baalism does best, and this is evident on this album. Just look at the opening track, Agony In The Stone Chamber. It starts out with a very tight, melodic, harmonized lead, then heads into a chaotic solo beginning with a natural harmonic whammy dive/pull-up. The song then turns into something very reminiscent not only of old school death metal and Swedish death metal, but also of many deathgrind bands. Eventually it turns into another riff that sounds like early Suffocation. There are some especially grindlike parts in it. Near the end, it becomes a slam death metal riff. Overall, quite the variety.

The album is a mixture of melodic death metal, deathgrind, and Swedish death metal. Songs like Cry For The Black Sun definitely contrast with songs like The Massacre. I also really like how the band persists with the atonal growl style during melodic songs, instead of doing high screams all the time, like any melodic death metal bands seem to do. Music is art - and contrast is VERY good. I can say nothing bad about this album, other than it lacked the masterpiece factor. Overall, an amazing death metal album, incredibly underrated, because it is of extremely high quality, yet receives little recognition.

Very Interesting... - 89%

Cloud0129, April 29th, 2009

Wow, this is a surprise indeed. Whoever knew that you could put together the oxymoron of melodic death metal and brutal death metal together? Every song is full of melody at one point, then full of brutality the next.

An example, some may ask? The actual basic riffs are something Suffocation would pull off, then when it gets to the solos, they sound like an odd mix of Mors Principium Est and Amon Amarth. Weird huh? One would think such a result would end up sloppy and messed up like later Metallica or modern In Flames.

Apart for this, Ultimate Instinct, Intestine Baalism's third recording is top notch and of exceptionally high quality that you would have trouble finding elsewhere. The material is well-designed and technical, and full of hatred, chaos, and evil everywhere on every song. The guitars are well-tuned and fast-paced, and not a single flaw can be seen anywhere and they are extremely memorable. The drumming is proficient and fits in perfectly with the rhythm, and he isn't randomly blast-beating or hitting the snares too much like a madman. The bass sets the mood here on this album even more than they already have. The vocal performance here is great. There mostly low-pitched guttural growls and aggravated (in a good way) shrieks that makes you want to hit someone when you are having a crappy day.

Now there were some drawbacks, but none of which should be horrendous enough to make you want to look away in disgust. The production, curiously, isn't nearly as great as you would like them. For example, the songs feel as if they are too quiet or when the drums are slighty too loud, or when the guitars are too quiet. Neither, of course, are too much of an issue, as both can actually be heard all the way through.

This isn't an album fans of both Cannibal Corpse and Dark Tranquility would want to miss out on at all, as I've mentioned before, both fuse the elements of brutal death metal and melodic death metal.

Enthusiastic, vile energy, Japan's best death - 90%

autothrall, April 28th, 2009

It's about time, right? Five years since their great sophomore album 'Banquet in the Darkness', Japan's premier death metal cult returns for what is probably its finest hour yet. 'Ultimate Instinct' simultaneously channels the crisp thrashing death metal of their earlier albums, and pays a bloody tribute to some of the greatest death metal albums of all time. Well, at least on a few of the tracks...

"Agony in the Stone Chamber" sounds like it belongs on 'Consuming Impulse' from Pestilence. I'm serious. Its unflinchingly old school, churning, groovy riffs remind me of my very favorite death metal album. The only difference is the brief melodic lead at the beginning, and perhaps the vocals (though they sound close to Van Drunen's older stuff). Fucking excellent song to open your record. "Cry for the Black Sun" is quite different: a melodic death metal track rooted in the earlier Swedish sound of the 90s, but with some progressive rock breaks that felt decidedly Japanese. "Longing for Birth" is centered around a great, deathgrind riff which conjures Terrorizer, Napalm Death and old Entombed to my horrific delight. "Awaking" and "Wind of Death" are both more melodic death tracks like the style they used on the earlier albums. Same could be said for "Dark Surface", but this song is COMPLETELY AWESOME, one of the best on the record. "The Massacre" is a brutal mix of sickening grind and kick ass chug death metal. "Ultimate Instinct" is a melodic tour de force with some incredible riffs. The album ends with "Galaxy of the Black Sun", once again one of the best melodic death tracks they've ever composed, with a beautiful and creepy bridge riff.

The album sounds nice and lo-fi but crunchy and crispy just as their previous outings. The vocals, both growled and snarled are full of enthusiastic vile energy and the riff writing is quite hard to top. This is an album that truly lends some legitimacy to the term 'melodic death metal', but you won't find any of the staples which have dominated that scene of late (keyboard-guitar racing, radio friendly rock chorus, etc). 'Ultimate Instinct' feels retro in places, but in the best way...by doing honor to its influences without becoming stupid in the process. At the same time, it's somewhat diverse and balanced.

This is an amazing album and I hope I won't have to wait another five years for the next one, because clearly this band still has it.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Petrov: Alert the presses! - 91%

Metaphysical_Anomaly, January 2nd, 2009

An unreleased Swedish death metal monstrosity has just been thawed in a cryogenics lab, buried deep in the neon-peripheral Tokyo underground. In the name of all things unholy, Petrov, hurry dammit, because this beast is kicking my ass like my name is Rodan!

Ultimate Instinct is the ill-tempered spawnling's name, and it recently tasted life in the sound laboratories of the ever-reclusive Seiji Kakuzaki of Intestine Baalism Industries. It was bio-genetically derived most deviously from a diabolical crossbreeding of several Scandinavian substances; essence of Entombed, Uncanny extract, Edge of Sanity hydrogenate, At the Gates membrane, and various forbidden biological curios from the lost Miami-death metal empire. It's incubation chamber was, get this... the bloated carcass of it's host mother, Banquet in the Darkness.

Yes, you heard correctly. The very same Banquet in the Darkness whom deemed it divine to deafen the whole of the Kantō region nigh on five years ago. So much unmitigated devastation at a time when the stalwart populous was just beginning to rebuild from a prior assault by BitD's brood mother, An Anatomy of the Beast, the incipient monster that found it's way from Sweden to an unsuspecting Japan on the cargo ship The Energemenus. We know from it's ancestral origins that it is violent by nature, and extremely volatile. We must exercise upon approaching the entity for it has many weapons, capable of unspeakable acts of carnage.

Professor Kakuzaki, the mad genius, has developed a well-tempered, fluid, flowing cortex of curvaceous metal to encompass the beast, giving him total mobile freedom over any compositional terrain. Viewing the horror, sweeping up and down the twilight-licked landmass at high velocity with effortless grace, one tends to forget that such a capricious form has the ability to pulverize a city in seconds.

Ultimate Instinct masks it's emotive intentions with mature refinement. What starts out as a living bulldozer, plowing through fields and quarries with reckless abandon in "Agony in the Stone Chamber" effortlessly shifts to retrospective sobriety in "Cry for the Black Sun", and quickly back into a spasming, violent form, within the same episode. Mournful atonal dissonance emitted by the monster lulls it's would-be attackers into complacency while a haphazard solo screeches them into a crippling paralysis. An easy target for the ensuing slaughter at the hands of "Longing For Birth" whose chainsaw massacre riffage and unflappable dynamic force would make Left Hand Path and Splenium For Nyktophobia very proud ancestors.

Not long after the blood of thousands quenches the subsoil's thirst, the beast's "Awaking", drunk with confidence and human effluence, dashes off at a brisk, off-beat pace reminiscent of a much better developed Slaughter of the Soul. The rapid pace perpetuated, initiates a harrowing tempest, or "Wind of Death" which ravages the wastes in agonizing longevity, suppressing prayers and extinguishing hope. Miles ahead of the windstorm, the fiend continues it's auditory salvo against the meek, dancing devastation down upon the "Dark Surface" it's immeasurable shadow casts upon the land.

Suddenly, a bastion of salvation for the people of Kantō appears, and temporal ceasing to the furious din of obliteration. A paladin warrior, a challenger to the monolith, steps out from the gloom, raises his weaponry and charges at the armored leviathan. A brief, thunderous clash leaves the warrior of light dead, and the monster severely wounded, and severely pissed off. If it is to be snuffed from the land as quickly as it came, it will take a million more souls with it to hell. It charges erratically towards the nearest metropolis and begins "The Massacre", blasting, percussive detonations throughout the city rain hellfire on the doomed as the monster slices through buildings like paper and the death toll rises to the stratosphere.

An international task force is now assembled at the wounded monster's flank, and in hot pursuit, leads to cannon-ball run across the terrain. After a few minutes, the monster reaches the coast of the island nation, and turns in mock recompense to it's pursuers, nerves pulsating with adrenaline, and full cognizance of it's last gasps of bitter, oceanic air. It's "Ultimate Instinct" soaks it with the will to kill, and when a rolling blast is fired, the battle is on. The monster strives to overpower the military force, and slays many, but in the end, vast technological might prevails, and the creature lays, an organic pulp on the red earth, vital signs fading away.

Silence...

New life! Awake in a strange land, the beast regains consciousness and rushes to it's feet. A new beginning... a new galaxy to terrorize. The Ultimate Instinct is that of a superlative force of nature, and a pernicious bathos of peace and solitude. Intelligence instills compositionally creative and melodious means to achieve this, and raw ability punctuates the violent process. While not as particularly developed intellectually as it's predecessor Banquet in the Darkness, or as brutally punishing as it's ancestor An Anatomy of the Beast, the album realizes a developmental symbiosis of the two dominant traits, creating a beautiful synergy and something as wholly attractive and horrifying as what blessed our smashed craniums in the past.

- Originally written for RYM