With 2023 slightly in the rear view, let the 2024 releases commence! There’s a whole lot coming down the pipeline, and one of the early albums we were most curious about is a brand new entity in Saevus Finis and their debut Facilis Descensus Averno. A somewhat mysterious dissonant death metal trio from Portugal, they’re composed of guitarist/vocalist Mortvorvm, who is a member of dark post-metal group Wells Valley, bassist Sangvis Aestvs of tech-death band Concealment, and drummer MCMXII. Together, their aim is to craft disconcerting, cloudily dissonant death metal that disturbs while it annihilates. Considering a member comes from the aforementioned Wells Valley – who released a killer record in Achamoth a few months ago – our confidence and expectation is relatively high due to their dark, virulent stylings.
Our hopes, thankfully, have not been dashed. Saevus Finis, which is Latin for Cruel/Savage End (we’re not sure which is 100% accurate), is a fitting moniker for their brand of suffocating waves of smothering death metal. Not dissimilar to Nightmarer in structure and labelmates Viande in their imposing blackened death metal disposition. Good company to keep, and they are vehemently biting at the heels. Yet despite those similarities, they successfully formulate their own dizzying blend.
The disturbingly buzzing “Scourge of Humanity” begins with cavernous, low-tuned guitars, conjoined with deep bellows and quick bass drums. Their tone is rumbling and gritty, serving up the needed aesthetic, aided by songwriting that is anything but conventional, keeping their compositions unpredictable. Continuing with “Aeons of Spiritual Starvation,” the songwriting goes deeper towards the maniacally offbeat, emitting sweltering riffs and odd time signatures to accentuate the unorthodox vibe.
If thick, chunky rhythms are your flavor of choice, tracks such as “Thou Hast Destroyed Thyself” and “Overrun by Pests” will no doubt satisfy with pizzazz. Those craving otherworldly and unsettling atmospheres at the forefront needn’t look further than the discomforting “Corporeal Malfeasent” and twisted lead guitar work of “Those Who Aid and Abet.” Plenty of variety will be found on Facilis Descensus Averno, though all tracks are rightfully bounded by those creepy death metal characteristics that are so critical. Speaking of creepy, finale and title track “Facilis Descensus Averno” (translation being roughly “The Descent to Hell is Easy”) may be the most disquieting entry on offer, comprised of vocalizations that snarl into your psyche and a ritualistic rhythmic sense that pulsates into oblivion.
The descriptor of dissonant death metal has many forms and nuances; none of which are particularly easy to write and execute to a satisfying degree. Bands who do get it right are particularly satisfying, and Saevus Finis lands definitively within that category. The songwriting is anomalous with high levels of grisly distress, backed up by pinpoint instrumentation and a brutally devastating sound profile of which is nearly impossible to resist nodding along to with a sadistic smirk. If Facilis Descensus Averno’s high level is any indication of what’s to come, enjoyers of the dark side of death metal can’t help but embrace Saevus Finis.