Dead In The Manger Transcience

Very little information was provided to 20 Buck Spin regarding Dead in the Manger when the label was initially contacted about a release—only that the band plays a mix of depressive black metal and grind (which seemed on paper an impossible combination) and that their intention is to instill feelings of unease and despondency in the listener. Nonetheless, a cursory listen to Transience leaves no doubt that on their debut mini-LP Dead in the Manger creates music both brutally violent and coldly agonizing.

Transience opens with a repetitive, atmospheric motif, conjuring a bleak sadness that sets the stage for an urgent right turn to scalpel-sharp, high-BPM aggression and multiple stab wounds of hate-driven malcontent. Filled with ill will and revulsion, Dead in the Manger walks a fine line between all-out sensory violence and post-trauma exhaustion.

At just six songs in under 20 minutes, Transience destroys the listener with a calculated premeditation, and is a first glimpse at what Dead in the Manger have in store. A debut full-length album is in the works currently and will see release via 20 Buck Spin later in 2014.