Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Humanity's Last Breath - Structures Collapse (2011)

I always thought Humanity's Last Breath's self-titled album was their debut, and it's still considered that. But if you wanna be technical about it, Structures Collapse is their debut. It was originally their second EP, their first being Reanimated by Hate, before it was reissued as a full-length album that includes all tracks from their first EP. The album/EPs had more of their earlier deathcore sound while hinting at their later death-djent (or THALL). I can definitely hear a bit of Meshuggah in this...

Structure Collapse was originally 5-track 25-minute EP. When combined with Reanimated by Hate, it is rounded up to a total length of 50 minutes. This is some of the most brutal, heaviest metal you would ever hear, and it's balanced out with speed and complexity. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and even a little clean.

Opening track "Product of War" gives you the first taste of their f***ing savagery. "Deceivement" maintains the brutal chaos before slowing down midway through for a clean bridge. "Baleful" is a total monster in the riffing and vocals. However, it doesn't have the towering destruction of their subsequent albums. I guess the production is to blame since it's practically a demo, though I wanna actually hear the guitar's crushing aggression. That also puts a dent in the otherwise enjoyable "Righteous Death".

Starting off soft and eerie is "The Aftermath" that then explodes into a hardcore frenzy. It is much better executed with brutal growls and riffs pack a punch together with sinister melodies. If there's a true highlight for this entire offering, it's gotta be that one! The Reanimated by Hate part starts with "Inevitable". Y'know, what Thanos considers himself to be. Another crushing track "Never Ending Cycle" is a highlight in the more brutal side of the spectrum, showing all the pulverizing tricks the band has. Quite strong despite the production, although it doesn't help the ending breakdown. "Kneeling in Front of the Grave" is more simplistic while having more well-constructed breakdowns.

The 3-minute "Interlude" is quite heavy for one. Then comes "We Didn't Plan the Escape" which is another solid favorite of mine. And finally, the ending track of that EP and this album, "Ingested". Of all the tracks made by Humanity's Last Breath, I think this is the closest they've gone to the brutal technical deathcore of The Red Chord and the band Ingested. Quite cool and all, but most of the other tracks are stronger than this.

I'd like to conclude by saying how much I like the name of this band, Humanity's Last Breath. Sounds as apocalyptic as the music, and it's a nice break from death metal bands that mention blood, gore, pulp, and other violent sh*t. That's how you know the band is serious about the dark path they would cross in this release and beyond....

Favorites: "Product of War", "Deceivement", "The Aftermath", "Never Ending Cycle", "Kneeling in Front of the Grave", "We Didn't Plan the Escape"