Review THE SPIRIT “Songs Against Humanity”

The Spirit formed in 2015 and released their debut album two years later. “Sounds from the Vortex” marked a starting point for the band. The first record also brought The Spirit to the attention of AOP Records, and after inking a deal, the second album was released. “Cosmic Terror” helped the band to expand their fan base and today The Spirit is a strong force when it comes to blackened metal from Germany.

“Songs Against Humanity” is the title of their latest album and the band picks up where they left off with “Of Clarity and Galactic Structures”. A blistering mix of black metal and death metal is what you can expect and The Spirit deliver.

Although the duo hasn’t changed the basic direction when it comes to sound, the latest release comes across as more to the point and less layered. This might not be obvious at first, as the album opens with an 8-minute blast. It’s the ‘titletrack’ that shows The Spirit’s versatility, combining a frantic tempo with a massive rhythm section. The song exudes a rebellious spirit, while the fine and more atmospheric solo parts act as a well-placed counterbalance to the song’s brutal basic pattern.

“Songs Against Humanity” contains seven tracks, of which “Spectres of Terror” was the lead single. We are dealing with a song of blistering speed, while the galloping middle section reminds us of bands like Kreator. Headbanging is not an option while listening to this song, it is an obligation.

An evil grin is what you have to deal with while listening to ‘Room 101’. A quick scan of the lyrics shows that this room isn’t the honeymoon suite, as it’s a dystopian outlook on technological development and the resulting conformity, a time when utopia turns into dystopia.

In addition to the opener, the album contains another 8-minute epos. “Death is my Salvation” is the title of this masterpiece. Dealing with the void between life and death, it is a feeling of sadness and sorrow that envelops your soul while listening to this musical cornerstone. This also has to do with a rather repetitive basic pattern that intensifies the lyrical approach. But with all the sadness there is also a ray of light embedded in this majestic song.

The closer is more like a longer outro. “Orbiting Sol IV” is a three and a half minute instrumental. It’s the most atmospheric moment on the album and puts a great melody line in the centre. It’s as if the infinite outer space invites you to a cosmic excursion that leaves you with your mouth wide open.

“Songs Against Humanity” is the next big step for The Spirit. The guys have fine-tuned their trademarks and stuck to their musical compass. At the same time, the latest release is more to the point, with the lead single being a good indication of what to expect from this effort. The Spirit deliver an album that shows it’s greatness the first time you spin it, and yet has enough detail and dynamics to create a lasting joy for fans of blackened death metal.