Inhuman Condition – Mind Trap
Release Date: 27th June 2025
Label: High Roller Records (European Release)
Bandcamp
Genre: Old School Death Metal, Swedeath, Death Metal, Thrash.
FFO: Massacre, Cannibal Corpse, Undeath, Obituary, Frozen Soul, Unleashed, 200 Stab Wounds, Molder, Benidiction.
Review By: Rick Farley
You’re not going to find anything fancy or new on this stompy old school death/thrash offering. But do we really need to? There’s a reason music like this still exist to this day, with any number of bands giving this genre a spin, it’s simply because the music is fucking timeless. Singular or merged, Floridian death metal and swedeath are two genres that have spawned some of our most beloved records to date, igniting a nostalgia like no other. So, if you’re looking for proggy, core, or overly complex tech, you’re not going to find it here. You will however find some ugly as sin, thrashy, cave dweller style death metal at its purest and most savage.
Florida’s Inhuman Condition, which features a who’s who list of musicians that’s been a part of or currently is part of so many legendary and influential bands/albums that it simply would occupy too much space here. Death, Massacre, Deicide, Obituary and Venom Inc just to name a handful. Jeramie Kling (vocals, drums), Taylor Nordberg (guitars), and Terry Butler (bass) are yet again about to deliver a circle pit inducing, hooky, knuckle dragging death metal slab of concrete.
The bands 2021’s debut album Rat God made quite an impact in the metal world when it was released, and these death metal lads have been banging out solid albums on a pretty consistent schedule. 2025’s Mind Trap marks their third full length album in only five years.
Sitting at a dense 31-minute beating, Mind Trap is chock-full of raw guitar tones that buzz, chug, groove, and thrash like a freight train headed straight for you. Wicked, squealing, diving solos that are near nerve-shredding. Driving, warm basslines just below the surface add a low-end foundation that’s rock solid. Tight and concise, everything is set off by the drums, keeping the pace interesting from brain squeezing speed, and high energy to sick grooves that will have you stomping a hole in your floorboards while driving recklessly through the manic streets. The vocals are harsh, throaty yet still mostly legible, which plays its part in making this a throwback to the golden days of death metal.
The groove on the opener Severely Lifeless, plus its stop and go pummelling, sets the mood for what’s to become a live setting favourite. The swampy gut busting hooks to relentless thrashy speed of Godship is a perfect example of how well the band combines both elements. A sci-fi influenced eerie acoustic intro to Recollections of the Future give way to huge, distorted chords ringing out, adding an epic feel to the record. Tribalistic drums and head banging ensues.
As it stands, this might be my favourite Inhuman Condition album musically. The songs are infectious, brutally heavy and deliver everything in what old school Floridian death metal should sound like. My one complaint, while this record sounds outstanding, it’s missing that chunky bite production wise that the others had. Don’t get me wrong though, this is recorded, mixed and mastered high level, it’s just not as punchy as it could be in my opinion. This however should not stop you from getting this sleazy, grimy little beast, throwing it on your record player and conjure up some old school slasher violence in your living room. Mind Trap easily gives those wonderful nostalgic vibes that we all yearn for, not to mention another disgustingly badass album cover from Dan Goldsworthy. Easy recommend.
(4 / 5)
