There’s something invigorating about moving to a new record label. It’s a fresh start. Bands shed their sins and tribulations of the past and channel every effort into proving the move a positive one. In the case of death metal mavens Soilent Green, this proves true tenfold. Haunted by endless demons, including member deaths, horrific accidents and countless setbacks, the Louisiana-based quartet should have called it quits or been killed off long ago. Refusing to back off, the release of latest effort Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction finds the band more ravenous than ever. Charged with a previously unseen vehemence and dedication to their craft, Inevitable Collapse is the band’s finest outing yet. Shockingly intense and frenzied, songs like “Blessed in the Arms of Servitude,” “Superstition Aimed at One's Skull” and “Antioxidant” display not only a more streamlined approach, but also one that is decidedly more aggressive. Falling just shy of outright cacophony, the hyperactive blast-beats countered by plodding, chugging rhythms and mind-numbing guitar solos, not to mention an acoustic intro on “In the Same Breath” — which is shocking, but accentuates the fury put forth on the song — prove that despite a tragic history, Soilent Green are ready to usurp death metal’s throne and reign in the blood they have spilled.
