Harvested is a
death metal band from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Their music blends elements of
brutal, technical, and old-school death metal, rooted in influences from Suffocation, Dying
Fetus, Deicide, and Cannibal Corpse. The band first gained attention
with their self-titled EP in 2022, a five-track release centered around themes
of mental illness and human suffering. Known for their precision and
aggression, Harvested embraces the early
2000s era of death metal while incorporating a modern production style. With
“Dysthymia,” the band takes a step forward both conceptually and musically,
remaining independent and self-released, yet ambitious in their scope and
execution.
“Dysthymia” is the first full-length release
from Harvested, consisting of nine tracks
and just under 32 minutes in length. The album keeps its structure compact and
urgent. Rather than expanding song durations or veering into experimentation,
the band has opted for intensity and focus. The lyrical theme revolves around
the darker layers of mental illness, ranging from individual trauma to systemic
psychological dysfunction. Each track examines these ideas without relying on
exaggerated horror or gore.
The
instrumental work is sharp and detailed. Guitars cut through with precise
riffing that is both rhythmic and dissonant. The tempo shifts often, but
transitions feel natural. Drumming is constant and tight, clearly played with
intent and control rather than chaos. There’s a strong balance between
technical execution and traditional death metal structures. The influence of
bands like Decapitated and Cattle Decapitation is present in the stop-start
rhythmic patterns and grooves, especially in songs that lean heavier on
breakdowns.
Vocally, Adam Semler delivers deep growls that are clearly influenced by George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, but without direct imitation. He performs with consistency across the album, keeping the aggression even without relying on distortion or studio tricks. The lyrics are phrased clearly, avoiding repetition or overused phrasing.
The
production, handled by Joe Lyko at Darkmoon Productions, brings each instrument
forward without crowding the mix. The tone is modern but not overcompressed.
Basslines follow the rhythm closely and add depth, which suits the direct style
the band is going for. The drums are mixed with impact, particularly the kick
and snare, which punch through the guitars with clarity.
“Dysthymia”
does not stretch far outside of genre boundaries, but what it does, it does
with intent and consistency. The songs are short, aggressive, and cohesive.
While there is variation in pacing and structure between tracks, the band
avoids dramatic shifts in direction or overly long build-ups. It’s a straight
path through psychological violence, presented in musical form. The album
artwork, created by CJ Bertram, is symbolic
of the album’s focus—chaotic, visceral, and grounded in emotional disorder.
“Dysthymia” is a compact and focused death
metal release that balances aggression with detail. It shows a band that is
tight in both concept and execution. There are no gimmicks or over-the-top
theatrical elements—just well-structured, intense music with a consistent
vision. Fans of fast, brutal death metal with a psychological edge will find
this to be a strong release. Recommended for fans of Cannibal
Corpse, Decapitated, Aborted, and Suffocation.
No comments:
Post a Comment