Embrional | Inherited Tendencies For Self-Destruction | Agonia Records

 

Embrional is a death metal band from Gliwice, Poland, formed in 2003. Their sound is rooted in the darker, more chaotic tradition of Polish death metal, marked by intensity, dissonance, and a persistent underground ethic. The band features Skullripper (Azarath) on vocals, and over the years they have developed a reputation for merging brutal riffs with unsettling atmospheres. Prior releases such as “Absolutely Anti-Human Behaviors” and “The Devil Inside” helped carve their identity in the extreme metal scene, blending harsh speed with eerie dynamics.

“Inherited Tendencies For Self-Destruction” is Embrional's fourth studio release and comes after a noticeable period of silence since their last album. This release continues their descent into aggressive, suffocating death metal but takes a more dynamic approach in both production and songwriting. The band’s decision to self-produce—particularly through the hands of Skullripper—results in a presentation that feels raw, deliberate, and shaped by experience.

Guitars bite and drone with shifting layers, moving between violent tremolo riffing and slow, drawn-out sections that give the songs more space to breathe. The drums—captured with a natural tone—add to the depth rather than overwhelming it. The vocal delivery is consistent with the bleak themes, never overdone but present in every measure. The inclusion of brief samples and subtle effects serves as a background texture rather than a dominating force, and the album manages to sound heavy without losing clarity.

“Inherited Tendencies For Self-Destruction” clocks in at just under forty minutes, pacing itself with a balance between direct attack and murkier, atmospheric tension. The mix, courtesy of Haldor Grunberg, retains the density that long-time followers will expect but avoids sounding compressed or sterile. There’s an audible sense of control without sounding clinical.

Though not radically different from their previous work, the album does carry a more focused vision. It’s a step forward in terms of arrangement and cohesion. The themes of despair, violence, and spiritual decay remain central, and the band’s presentation of those elements is both relentless and calculated. This isn’t an album built for accessibility, nor does it compromise its extremity in favor of trend or expectation.

“Inherited Tendencies For Self-Destruction” is a strong return for Embrional, maintaining their core sound while refining aspects that make their music more suffocating and immersive. It is a release that prioritizes atmosphere and heaviness without falling into repetition or excess. Recommended for fans of Azarath, Lost Soul, early Hate, and the darker side of Polish death metal.

Score: 7.5/10