Defiled's latest album, Altered State, marks a significant shift in the band's sound, moving away from the chaotic and genre-bending style of their earlier work. The album is a controlled and refined effort, showcasing the band's ability to blend various musical elements while maintaining their signature brand of wackiness. This is a welcome change from the previous album, Horror Beyond Horror, which failed to leave a lasting impression despite strong performances.
One of the standout aspects of Altered State is the band's ability to create catchy and memorable riffs. The guitar work, particularly by Yusuke Sumita and Sinichiro Hamada, is a highlight, with down-picked lines that fuse seamlessly with the drumming of Keisuke Hamada. The bass excursions by Takachita Nakajima also add a classic death metal heft to the album, although the production could have been better to give his bass the space it deserves.
Vocally, Hamada delivers a solid and abrasive deathly growl with a hint of groove metal grit. While his phrasing is predictable, it is a functional piece that fits well with the overall sound of the album. The album's structure, with its grindcore-leaning format, is a familiar one, but the band manages to inject a welcome dose of Human-era Death into the mix, breaking the spell of fatigue that can set in with similar patterns.
Overall, Altered State is a strong return for Defiled, shedding prior missteps and packing itself with memorable material. It is a hard album to love, but it is undoubtedly entertaining, marking a course correction for the band. While it may not be their best work, it is a significant step in the right direction, and a welcome addition to the band's discography.
