Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Disbelief - Worst Enemy (2001)

I felt up to facing one of my worst enemies, the heavier side of death metal. This is the kind of devilish aggression I'm normally in a feud with, and yet I can't help but take it on. The chaotic nature smashes me around and leaves me breathless. It's so horrifying yet so good!

OK, I have to agree that this isn't death metal per se. Imagine blending together the standard death metal that you might find in 90s Hypocrisy and Bolt Thrower with the sludgy side of Neurosis and Will Haven, and a bit of Entombed's Wolverine Blues. You end up getting an excellent extreme death 'n' roll/sludge/groove metal sound, that barely any other band has tried.

The heavy opening track "Misery" has a dynamic groove sound, especially in the chorus. The first verse will let you know what you're in for, "Hey you, place called earth! Let me explain to you who I am! I’m your worst nightmare!" Then "Believer" continues the excellent deathly groove. It's one of the most monstrous songs here! You even get to hear some clean singing at the end that works like a charm. "Survive" is slower, though it rises back to the mighty groove. "All or Nothing" has annihilating bass and drums and inhumane vocals, though enjoyment is slightly futile.

"Denial" is entirely slow and melancholic, showing the album's sludgy side. Wonderful vocals and guitars here! "Assassinate the Scars" brings back the groove, this time in a brutal combo with a more death 'n' roll form. The bass and drums are more deathly, though things get more melodic by the end. "Recession" has killer slow riffing. And just when you think the sludge isn't going further...

"Living Wreck" once again has the slow sludgy melancholy. "Humiliation" reigns with the last bit of the deathly sludge/groove sound. The "Outro" is rather pointless, but it's an ominous end to this satisfyingly pummeling experience.

Disbelief seems like the kind of band to really crank up the heat with dark riffing as destructive as a kaiju monster apocalypse. Worst Enemy is an album with the kind of sound I would love to hear more of after gaining the bravery to start off here. So get ready to face a true powerful beast!

Favorites: "Misery", "Believer", "Denial", "Assassinate the Scars", "Humiliation"