The issue with an album that is wholly original and in a league of its own is that, whenever the itch for that specific thing appears, there isn’t much out there that can scratch it. Demilich‘s Nespithe is certainly such an album and it has rarely been imitated – the relatively obscure Exlimitir notwithstanding. Even when imitated there is little that has been added to the canon of Alien Frog Death Metal, as Exlimitir is mainly an angrier, faster version of Demilich. Fabricant, however, sound like Demilich Worship without forgetting that the last 30 years of metal’s evolution have happened. While the base is the skronky, fluid yet groove oriented Death Metal of Demilich, other influences make Fabricant have enough of an identity to be worthwhile and have staying power. Notably, Fabricant seem to take inspiration from two very distinct subscenes of Death Metal. While in many ways, the more textural and abstract influence of Dissonant Avantgarde Death Metal can be felt, Fabricant also dabble in the more straightforward and percussive art of Brutal Tech from time to time.
It is safe to say that Fabricant handle all of it quite well and they throw in enough surprises to justify the album’s runtime. Fabricant are, by design, a little more instrumentally playful than Demilich and a bit more open about their technical prowess. The guitarists allow themselves techy, progressive leadwork, as best showcased on the opener while the bass often indulges in some of bass guitar’s most percussive and aggressive techniques, even going so far as to have an outright slap bass break on “Demigod Prototype”. The unpredictable nature of the material is one of the albums biggest strengths and it makes sense that the album begins and ends on its most extravagant tracks – it is always best to open and end an album strong. Unfortunately, this leads to a slight slump about 75% through the albums runtime, where the most Brutal Death Metal leaning tracks have been placed. Having these least extravagant tracks right after each other takes the momentum out ever so slightly. Luckily, the last two tracks are well at recovering it and ending the album on a high note. Nonetheless, In a year where Death Metal seems to overperform, Fabricant manage to put out one of the strongest albums of the genre. Drudge to the Thicket is a joy to listen to.
