We are going to talk about Swedish act Against I. The three piece has a new EP out, ironically called Destruction Lullaby, though to be quite frank, at seven tracks, this really could be called a full length album. Released on the Twisted Flesh Recordings label, my only warning is to prepare your ears to be bombarded with heavy industrial metal.

And so begins the assault with bludgeoning drum blasts, as the call to the dispossessed and rejected to take back what is theirs rings out with Croona’s vocals pile driving into the screaming guitars in “Dark divine.” The electronic angelic crowd stand testament to the apocalyptic destruction of “World in ruin,” a combination of classical meets metal, that is raised into the stratosphere by the synths.

“The sacrifice” is a walk into damnation, raw and bleeding from the shadow of a broken soul, claustrophobic and clinging like a oily film to the skin. Following this is the ode to a million ways to die, the track “Death defined,” with the slamming drums and hum of slashing guitar, all the while Croona goes full demonic.

The concept of reality can be just as cruel as your worst nightmare is explored in “A violent dream,” and this track points to a far more metal background, with soaring guitar and an inexplicable Nordic intent. There is a always a “Calm before the storm” and it is the same with this track, because when it hits, it is with righteous fury, which leaves us bared for the title track “Destruction lullaby,” with the winding synths and stomping beats while the vocals vie for dominance with the guitar.

Maybe it is time to give the monsieurs three, that being Mathias Back, Anders Ström and Fredrik Keith Croona, a little recognition and a listen if you haven’t before. There is no calm before the storm. There is only the storm, that is full of metal shards bound in shocking electronic power, driving rhythms and vocals of a madman unbound in a world where everything has gone to hell. This is Against I and they will pummel you to sleep with their Destruction Lullaby, a sonorous head beating.

Destruction Lullaby | Against I | Twisted Flesh Recordings (bandcamp.com)

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