Every so often when finding new material to review, you come upon something that is really hard to pin down, understand, and put into words even if the mind compels someone like me to do that very thing. Each year offers a few creations like that should they find their way before me one way or another, and it’s only a matter of time before something else comes out of nowhere to really impress and befuddle me for all that my words are worth. We have already seen plenty of offerings this year from tons of different bands that are effortlessly bringing glory to their respective album, but when it comes to bringing real madness and shifting chaos into the fray on such a scale that sends a chill down the spine, no one has come close to what Venomous Echoes achieves in its second record.

Albums like this truly defy convention. Where one might struggle to put it into words, it’s clear that it was a Herculean task of a different variety to try and bring the effort together in the first place. It’s always a fascinating sight to watch an accomplished act challenging itself to bring something to the table that few others are able to bring forth, but it’s in the case of what Venomous Echoes has done that it feels as though every given facet of this new record was born out of torturous intent upon the self. Seven tracks adorn “Split Formations and Infinite Mania” with not a single one of them being an easy listen, rewarding, or fulfilling in any capacity. Rather, Venomous Echoes tears at the very fabric of this pitiful reality with hatred, suffering, and dark magic sprouting from rending its own soul in two. Terrible in the most grandiose form and something that offers no sort of reprieve lest the silence become truly deafening, what Venomous Echoes has wrought here is truly not for the faint of heart. A horrific display of musical prowess paired horrifically with a haunted soul that holds nothing back in its compositions to ensure that the listener is given a window directly into the darkness that it experiences on a daily basis with the frightening reality of such visions the driving force that makes “Split Formations and Infinite Mania” such a devastating piece.

Just as technical in its performance as it is maniacal in its approach, Venomous Echoes has poised itself to become known as a demented act that is not to be missed should it continue the trajectory that has been planted firmly thanks to this album. Words can hardly do a piece like this justice no matter what our best efforts may be with mine surely not making the cut. Thus, I cannot implore you enough to take the step into this mind-melting dimension which Venomous Echoes holds complete dominion over. Nothing of this realm matters within the terrors of “Split Formations and Infinite Mania” with every step further into the work one that strips away another layer of your humanity.

“Split Formations and Infinite Mania” releases on April 5th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Split Formations and Infinite Mania” on Bandcamp here or via YouTube below.

LIKE Venomous Echoes on Facebook here.