Forged in The Windy City in 2013, Deathcore giants Altered Perceptions have since then carved their name into history with their brutally huge mixes and haunting music. Almost hypnotically, their music entrances you into a state of pure catharsis and rage. With often rapidly chaotic drumwork laying a thunderous heartbeat underneath punishingly low-tuned guitar riffs, mixed with intense vocals, this band is one that will turn your head indefinitely.
With their Junior release, appropriately entitled Malice, they’ve seemed to only grow into their image even more fittingly. Opening with their self-titled intro track "Malice", the listener becomes enveloped by hypnotically dark and beautiful orchestral elements of ambiance, ending on a dissonant hum, as if darkness itself was breathing into the track. As the track flows into the next, "Plaguer’s Voice", it’s as if all hell breaks loose with heavy-hitting blast beats underneath unmercifully low tuned chugging that seems to pave way for the turmoil that the rest of the album has in store. Unparalleled heaviness follows and leads the listener into AP’s signature low-tempo crushing breakdown that wraps the song up before you even have a chance to catch your breath.
The third track on the album comes to the juggernaut single entitled "Overpopulated Filth". An eerie wave welcomes the track into a bloodthirsty instrumental intro that drives itself into a punishing verse spearheaded by the vocals mixed seamlessly over the heaviness of the track thus far. Lyrics like “End this pain, end our suffering, End this plain, End our suffering” leave the listener unable to cope with such sheer brutality.
"Legion" follows with a signature eerie intro. As one of the more progressive tracks on the album, you feel the pure musicianship and attitude that Altered Perceptions does so well to encompass. Dark grooves and low-tempo breakdowns leave you in the dirt wondering how they can top themselves.
5th track on the album being "Wrath", dark electronic music beautifully composed sets a mood of “malicious” intent before it ultimately jumps headfirst into high-tempo heavy-hitting riffs. Ending with a rather cathartic breakdown, you will be replaying this track indefinitely.
Track number 6, entitled "Entrapped" does well to showcase the impressive abilities of the guitarist right off the bat. Endless jumpy grooves and barbarically fantastic breakdowns lead this track from start to finish.
"Re-Animate" opens the 7th slot with a dark connotation led by electronic synthesizers, followed by devastatingly low-tuned guitar riffs matched effortlessly by the drums. Being one of the more complex tracks off of Malice, it does exceptionally well to show off the raw talent that makes Altered Perceptions one of Chicago’s hardest-hitting deathcore acts.
Coming to the end of the record, track number 8, "The Empty Vessel", begins with a build that sends you up then crashes you down with an immeasurable weight. Breakdown after breakdown, this track proves to showcase the pure slammerific power of the group.
As the record comes to an end, you’re left with one final blow by the name of Azumaht. You won’t know how to react as soon as the first power chord is ripped from the guitar, again and again, emphasizing the true brutal power of lower tunings. With a taste of “Djent” fused with savage deathcore, all hell breaks loose. The tempo continues to crash lower and slower as the track unfolds. You’re left wondering, who/what is Azumaht? Is it some dark entity that fuels such as dark music? The answer is probably best left in the smoke and mirrors. Ending with one final chant to the dark lord Azumaht, a ruthless bass drop sends the listener into one last hellishly slow-tempo breakdown before it calms to pure silence, only to come crashing down with one last crushing verse.
It’s safe to say that the black-cloaked gang of misfits has ushered in a new phase of heavy/progressive music. Undoubtedly, they will see to a new era, redefining a genre, and a culture. We are left wondering, how can they possibly keep topping themselves? All that can be said is Altered Perceptions is here to make history.
Released June 22, 2018
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