Truly, there is nothing that can ever quite compare to singular death metal that knows precisely what it wants to be from the very first step taken. A vision of what depravity of the flesh and spirit can be in the right hands and something else truly horrifying in the hands of real masters, the genre still has so much to give even after decades of those squeezing the genre as much as they can to get out of it what they can. Still, newcomers can make even well-trod ground feel fresh and interesting in the right circumstances. Two years ago, Toughness showed us what they can do, and it’s now they demonstrate how much more they can still throw down.

If it’s not given the right approach, straightforward death metal can feel quite boring or even one-dimensional to some. Yet, as is the case with every sound that has ever existed, it only takes a handful of right decisions in key areas that can make for a far superior listen that taps into what many others struggle to achieve in some form or another even if we’re dealing with well-seasoned veterans of the sound. Whatever it is that Toughness has done to set itself apart from much of the rabble, I honestly could not say, but whatever it is, we can always use more of it throughout the underground. A massive deluge of layered riffs that offer no reprieve as the very fabric of reality itself is torn asunder to allow our eyes to gaze upon the maddening realm from which Toughness spawned from, “Black Respite from Oblivion” is nothing if not consistent in its constant assault upon the mind to then weaken the flesh. An intoxicating display of power that’s always winding and writhing into some form not meant for this reality, Toughness ensures at every given moment that this is death metal unadulterated with loads of nuance and finesse to make for an utterly terrifying performance that brings you to your knees and forces your eyes open such that even the smallest details throughout “Black Respite of Oblivion” are brought before you in such a fantastically excruciating form.

It was with their debut that Toughness made quite a showing of what they were able to do two years ago, and it’s clear with all that they’ve delivered within this performance that much has been learned in that time with all the magnificence to be had that one would ever dare ask for. A massive step forward in their evolution and nothing to shrug off for even a moment, “Black Respite of Oblivion” is a bastion of insanity that demands to be respect lest its overwhelming power wash you away and absorb all that you ever were before.

“Black Respite of Oblivion” releases on February 28th via Godz ov War Productions!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Black Respite of Oblivion” on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.

LIKE Toughness on Facebook here.