Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Replicant - Infinite Mortality (2024)

To say Replicant sound like Gorguts is a statement that I can only deliver as an intended compliment to the New Jersey four piece. Luc and co. are one of my favourite bands, rivalled only by Ulcerate in terms of the more dissonant aspects of technical or avant-garde death metal. Listening to Replicant for the first time and hearing such a positive influence from the off places them in good stead. I should also add that there is a lot more to Infinite Mortality than just Gorguts worship though.

Showing an ability to play some more conventional and battering death metal amid their expansiveness, Replicant can deliver Demilich style, frenzied pace alongside pounding rhythms that would not sound out of place on a Pestilence record. All the while the depraved sounding vocals (which match Mr Lemay perfectly) spread this ethos of utter hopelessness and despair. Replicant’s view of things is certainly bleak to say the least.

Make no mistake though, this is a (Gor)gutsy records played tightly and deftly in equal parts. Using the dissonance well to push tracks into spaces that does not need pummelling death metal to sound out the intended message, the truly infinite moments of this record are clear as the vocals bark into a fathomless void with the instrumentation chomping at the air around them with saliva flying everywhere from their snarling lips. There is a primitive rage to this album, an anger that demands that things far bigger than itself sit up and take notice of what it has to say.

As it plays in the room around me, registering its ferocious angst against an unforgiving universe it strikes me how well structured it is as a death metal album. The fundamentals are here, and the dissonance and atmospheres are skilfully laid over the top to always remind us that this is very much a death metal album at its core. As a result, this is where the band differ from the much-mentioned Gorguts. Infinite Mortality is a much more accessible record than anything you will find Luc and bandmates putting out and there is the real clever part to this album, embrace the good parts of Gorguts but still stay true to your own template at the same time. Good lads.