Snet – V bazinach vedomi (Review)

Snet are back from the crypts of Eastern Europe’s underground death metal scene with their latest installment, V bazinach vedomi (don’t force me to pronounce or rewrite this again, please). After gaining a lot of attention with their debut, Mokvání v okovech (god damn – those titles), in 2021 and several splits and singles, this new record marks their longest release to date, with nearly 40 minutes of new material. The question is: are Snet able to keep the momentum of their critically acclaimed debut?

What is immediately apparent as groove-laden opener “Tiha svetu” kicks things off is that Snet still worship the power of the riff. The groove is as filthy and grimy as it gets, and the tempo is fairly slow-paced, with the occasional blast-beat section to change things up nicely. Disgusting but fairly nuanced vocals that serve as an additional instrument help accentuate the head-bobbing rhythm before the band transitions into a more lead-driven and atmospheric ending. This newfound knack for introducing more subdued melodies into their sound serves as a clever dynamic twist on Snet’s second outing. And this is not limited to the guitar work but also extends to the vocals, as there are gothy passages of spoken word introducing track four or closing out track eight, for instance. These newly established dynamics greatly aid the record’s replayability.

But make no mistake. This is still balls-out heavy death metal that perfectly enriches Autopsy’s slimy playbook with Swedish lead melodies (see the second track, “kladivo ve tme”) and more tempo variations. And although Snet do not play a particularly technically advanced type of death metal, it is clear that there has been a huge leap in that regard compared to their debut. All members sound tight, locked in, and perfectly aligned. What makes the record so enjoyable is the fact that the band has found the perfect line between primitive, caustic aggression, clever atmospheric tempo shifts, and catchy, direct songwriting. The raw but crisp production also greatly contributes to the overall enjoyment of this record (the bass sound alone is so tasty), which also flows exceptionally well.

In total, Snet’s second outing is a great stepping stone for the Czech outfit, further establishing them as one of the hottest acts in the current underground death metal scene. There’s no fat on this one, just blood-dripping, foul and disgustingly served meat. Time to eat.

Ray Transcended

From: Neheim (Germany)
Favorite Artists: Black Sabbath – Every Time I Die – Dissection
Best Show: The Last Dillinger Escape Plan Show @Gloria, Köln
Band: Cold Gloom