Man, I never thought I’d be so apathetic to a recent release that by all accounts is good. Exmortem has hit that distinction. Maybe I need my head checked, but sweet merciful Christ, I can’t get into this.

Honestly, I really can’t place it. The music is solid, and the vocals are violent and decently abrasive, but it seems to me like above average speedy death metal. No frills, no innovation, but nothing catchy or amazingly spectacular in terms of songwriting and musicianship. Maybe all that crazy Czech stuff I’ve been listening to lately has spoiled my mind. Nah, it’s not that: I can listen to Nile no problem and I’m not bored. It seems as if Exmortem is trying too hard to sound like typically strong death metal rather than forge their own identity. For example, "Black Walls Of Misery" sounds like a generically poorer mid-era Immolation song. The music is good by all means, but it doesn’t have that kick to make you want to listen.

It’s like that nerdy kid your teacher always picked on during high school because of the precedent his older brother set years ago. That kid is trying with all his might to match or repeat his siblings’ success- and in many ways pulling it off- but his antics can’t satisfy you like the original thing.

Nihilistic Contentment is definitely a decent release and will satiate the more hungry death metal fans, but try to hunt down some samples before hand to decide for yourself. If not, you may be screwed and wind up in the same predicament as myself: bored to tears.

Note: what is up with the intro being in the middle of the album? Not that it’s out of place musically- because it certainly isn’t- but wouldn’t you usually set the intro as a beginning track? Having "(Intro)- Swamp of Decadence" as track six is more mind-blowing than a eunuch being imprisoned in Caligula’s private brothel.

Written By: Necro-tron