In recent times, it ought to be made clear that the Asian metal underground has undergone quite a transformation practically from top to bottom. By all accounts, there are large swathes of the Asian scene that are largely unheralded for what they bring to the table and what they offer listeners the world over, but it’s as time goes on we’re able to bear witness to the rise of truly exceptional acts that are slowly but surely getting the attention they deserve. Eleven years since its formation, Invictus has made quite a name for itself, but it’s with their second album that this Japanese act propels themselves to the very forefront of their country’s underground offensives.

There’s something so magnificent about when a band comes into its own. Fulfilling promises and seizing their destiny is a true sight to behold for all the right reasons with the proper talent capable of truly anything in the right circumstances. As such, it’s something that we don’t often receive for obvious reasons, yet it’s with the arrival of “Nocturnal Visions” that Invictus puts forth a display of power and tremendous understanding of their craft that instantly elevates this potent vision to something that embodies death metal for all that it can be in might and authenticity. Right from the beginning, “Nocturnal Visions” throws the listener into the middle of an unyielding maelstrom of bone and viscera with it lasting all the unto the end of the record, a defiant wretch that sees the writhing of Invictus temporarily cease. At least, until you go to re-experience this work for it is simply enthralling! Between the riffs and ultimate forms of brutality that constantly ensure “Nocturnal Visions” is firing on all cylinders, Invictus strikes gold time after time in all nine of this singularly eviscerating tracks. It’s in every step along this diabolical trek through a cascading hellscape that Invictus wields dominance, madness, and power the likes of which are simply undeniable in their magnitude with how well it’s all executed here.

“Nocturnal Visions” offers us a menagerie of things for us to become lost within, and mediocracy is simply not among them. This is death metal unburdened such that Invictus well and truly seizes their destiny and capitalizes on every shred of potential that they’ve laid forth over the past decade, yet it’s the whole of “Nocturnal Visions” that sees than at their most diabolical peak to date. Japan has much to boast, but Invictus might but be one of the best that the country has to brag about.

“Nocturnal Visions” releases on January 26th via Memento Mori and Me Saco Un Ojo!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Nocturnal Visions” on Bandcamp here.

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