Review by Jeger on August 13, 2026.

There's an idealistic view upon writing Extreme Metal; Extreme Metal that people actually want to listen to. The idea is not to reinvent the wheel or to even break fresh ground, but to incorporate classic elements from eras, bands and records past into an album; creating something never-before-heard yet wholly familiar feeling all the same. Chuck Schuldiner (Death) was a Master at this, particularly when considering the Classically-inspired "Individual Thought Patterns" and there are contemporary Artists such as Dave Davidson (Revocation) who also understand the importance of classicism when writing music and the resulting fruit of their pen is not Aborted, Origin or some other abomination, but albums that stir up a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the fundamentals, all the while as they astonish the listener with thoughtfully interjected elements of technicality/progressivism. Enter Italy's Miscreance…

Miscreance is a Technical Thrash / Death Metal band with a penchant for the days of Coroner's "Punishment for Decadence" and Pestilence' "Consvming Impvlse". To experience this band is to take in all of the very elements of Extreme Metal that gave you a hard-on when you were a teenager, except packaged in souped-up engineering, progressive cover art (Mona Shiraz) and truly inspired songwriting of the quasi-futuristic variety. How did these young men acquire such a developed understanding of true Metal? That's easy, when the other kids were eating Hot Pockets and playing Fortnite for 36 hours straight, our boys here were locked in their rooms with their instruments, their stereo and a Universe of albums. Miscreance formed in 2018, in 2022, they signed with the prestigious Season of Mist and they are now set to release their sophomore LP, "Reminiscence" on August 28.

With "Reminiscence", Miscreance explore a conceptual world where the supernatural and the primitive occupy the same space. A Tribal Society whose telepathic abilities are only succeeded by their thirst for blood and ecstasy: scalping, bizarre surgeries and a lust for sacred pleasure. Musically, expect a Martin van Drunen wet dream… A vocal homage to one of the all-time greats, backed by Technical Thrash/Death Metal that draws to mind collectives such as Death, Asphyx, Coroner and perhaps just a touch of Into Eternity - a brilliantly woven, intricate yet cozy sonic tapestry and a little funk never killed anyone...

Following a psychedelic, progressive intro where the guys do a little showing off, "Reminiscence" unfolds with "Trait d'Union" - a Mad Scientist's concoction of a track where the boundaries that separate the most visionary components of Extreme Metal from its most recognizable ones become entangled into a maddening symbiosis of Death and Thrash Metals. Wild solos! Synapses-scrambling riffs and a myriad of superhuman rhythms. The following track, "Vision", falls on the Thrash end of the spectrum. A little sleazier with the progressions, slick like oil and beats pumping along like pistons powering a diesel engine. There's real power and real momentum here - powered by such youthful energy and motivated by nothing more than a genuine passion for creating Scene-dominating Extreme Metal.

"Reminiscence" is a drums and bass-driven record, which is refreshing to hear such magnificent torque as it powers everything forward like a Freight Train; a sonic motor that propels every soaring melody, every ripping lead and every progressive nuance in comprehensive tracks like "Synaptic Cortex Dissection" that stylistically span a seemingly impossible array of influences. And the whole thing is just mixed to perfection. All phases cut through sharply during some parts and blend evenly during others. "Reminiscence" closes in such a way that it will leave a skid mark or two in your Fruit of the Looms: frenetic riffing patterns, Coroner-worshipping rhythms, creepy voices and heavy-as-lead grooves. A clinic in every stylistic formula/innovative composition that has captivated you up until this point before the sound of gentle acoustics set you free from what's been one Hell of an experience.

Not to sound like a dick, but I'm a Black Metal Journalist. I only review albums like "Reminiscence" if there is truly something special going on. All boxes checked. What we have here is innovation, classicism, power and talent unmatched, but above all else, Miscreance is a group of musicians who understand the importance of those good ole days and the impact that they are still and should always be having on today's Scene. Well done.

Rating: 9 out of 10