Miscreance draws inspiration from several technical thrash metal bands such as Toxik, Nocturnus, and Obliveon; their music travels through the sands of time with a defined identity. The band’s lineup consists of Andrea Feltrin (vocals, drums), Andrea Granauro (guitars), Tommaso Cappelletti (guitars), and Jean Claude Rossignol (bass); they offer a mind-boggling mixture of technicality and prog worship throughout the record.

The hefty riffs and technicality prepare your ears for creative dynamics in the opening track “Trait d’Union”, which begins with vibrant guitar compositions. The middle sections are laden with effective guitar hooks; there are plenty of excellent drum fills, evil growls, and unique guitar work that is inspired by Atheist’s “Piece of Time” and Death’s “Human” era.

The approach showcases tight, energetic death metal riffs; the following track, “Visions”, unmistakably brings an eloquent jazzy groove and breakdown. The vocals are mostly venomous, making it appealing to fans of early Pestilence; there is plenty of raw aggression, and proggy motifs from the bass lines and the lead guitar work.

The album also features a guest musician, Leo Di Angilla, who plays percussion, flute, Digeridoo, and Berimbeau. You can hear the eerie beatings of the tribal instruments provide another eerie layer to the band’s virtuosic musicianship.

The old-school death metal brutality is cemented, with clear production that suits the style of late 80s death thrash metal. “Scalp Ceremony” is one of the highlight tracks, demonstrating proggy guitar twists, while the rhythm guitar is full of attacks. The main riff is fucking brutal and infectious; Miscreance then combines plenty of old-school thrash to enhance the brutal sound.

The instruments are perfectly executed; the uncompromising drums provide layers of heaviness, with razor-sharp riffs combined in fast-paced tempos; some musical experiments appear on tracks like “Synaptic Cortex Dissection”, which surely require moments of reflection.

The rhythm guitar is crucial, but the best part is how the tempo becomes catchy at times, the tempo slows down, and you can hear the complex guitar arrangements that fill the slower passages. Expect tons of dual guitar attacks, with the songwriting revealing how heavy the band has become. The melodies are well-placed, and there are twisted guitar solos and frenetic drums, showing the swagger of these Italian lads. Harmonizing bass guitar is on full display while the guitar delivers an onslaught of death thrash; the intensity is maximized to staggering levels.

You can hear progressive elements of Sadus and Cynic, which make the songs unhinged and aggressive. The abrasive edge of the guitar on “Oracle’s Rift” builds into menacing riffs, and what we hear is rather a dazzling display of virtuosity. The drums show tons of skill and creativity, mixed with old-school aesthetics, while rhythm and melodies are pushed to the fore on every track. There are brutal chugging riffs and rawness, and the catchy interplay of the instruments adds textures to the songs.

The lead segments and guitar solos stand out, especially in the opening of “The Moaning Hill”. The fluid virtuosity of the guitars will captivate the listener; the band offers a concise musical niche carved into the songwriting. The rhythm guitar builds momentum while simultaneously pushing the scope of heaviness. There are slow passages midway through the track, and it’s where all the technicality is conveyed through astonishing musicianship.

“Symbiosis” sticks to the same technical approach without sacrificing aggression; the basic guitar riffs show subtle influences of Death; the track then shifts to a proggy, slower tempo, and the drums pick up the pace. Each element of the guitar is multi-layered, revealing hidden layers. The heavy riffs and grooves are brilliantly infused; so many riffs blend eerie leads, and solos are played swiftly.

The drumming on “Zenith of a Dying Sun” is out of this world and all over the place. The band delivers memorable songwriting; the drums play a prominent role in shaping the songs, showing skills of exploring sounds and patterns before the bludgeoning riffs offer insane technical brutality.

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