Within more recent years, Vulvodynia has been one of the strongest and most consistent in the extreme metal circuit (along with Cognitive). After a rather messy and public dismissal of former vocalist Duncan Bentley last year, the slamming deathcore/death metal South Africans of Vulvodynia have managed to somehow up their game significantly with their latest album, Entabeni. Just as extreme and vicious as the band has ever been, Entabeni seems to push the band into fresh territory and give them a stronger sense of direction than ever before.
Stepping up to the microphone is guitarist Lwandile Prusent, who brings all of the extreme flavors of rasps, gurgles, growls, et al but also brings forward a much more interesting lyrical approach in African stories, folklore, and more. With a stronger (and less hokey) lyrical perspective, the rest of the music behind Prusent steps up significantly too. All of the elements of slam, deathcore, and tech death are still swirling around in a dizzying mix, but its truly in how they manage to wield these parts that make the music so impressive to listen to. The title track gives a more straight-forward approach with it’s massive grooves and speed runs, but the melodic guitarwork that’s laced within is playful and very hook-y. Then there’s the absolute violence of the last 30 seconds of the song, with an extended slamming slowdown that will be sure to launch anyone into a stupor of aggression. But a groove-master like “It Follows” shows a mastery of melody within the extremity that Vulvodynia hasn’t shown with previous releases. The impressively earworming chorus of atmospheric melodies and a hook-y vocal line, along with some impressive speed bursts with simultaneous drum battery and whirling tech fireworks make for a standout track.
“The Rand Land” has some grimy, “slime-y” Morbid Angel-esque riffs and is just loaded with hooks in the guitar department while Prusent launches about every extreme vocal tactic in the books, leading to an almost melodeath-esque soaring chorus with some ear-grabbing melodies. Of course, some monster slams rear their head towards the end of the track, providing a punishing bit to contrast the otherwise catchy track. “Mamlambo” is probably the most head-bursting display of technicality, with foreign, alien-sounding technical guitar noises bending into different directions while the blazing speed all but knocks you backward at points before the grooves pulverize. Lastly, closing cut “Generational Segregation” leaves on a high note with a blur of complex yet melodic speed runs, playful and atmospheric slowdowns, and of course, visceral moments of groove and slam tossed in at key points that feel earned instead of a given.
Over half way through the year in 2024, Entabeni is an easy nod for the strongest extreme metal release of the year. It’s got everything that fans of the genre would expect in it’s devastating slams and breakdowns, plenty of technical guitar fireworks, a surprising amount of melody, and a multitude of diverse vocal techniques. Vulvodynia have truly outdone themselves in every way.