Artist: AntiHuman Industries
Country: Finland
Label: W.T.C. Productions
Formats: LP / CD
Year: 2026
Behind the moniker of AntiHuman Industries is a line-up that would make the average adorer of the Finnish Black Metal scene salivate. On vocals we find Corvus, long-time member of Korgonthurus and formerly of Horna. The guitars are provided by VnoM and Syphon, both current members of True Black Dawn but also known for contributions to Horna, Phlegein, Chamber of Unlight, and …And Oceans. And synthesizers are provided by Spellgoth, multiinstrumentalist in Sargeist, Trollheim’s Grott and Chamber of Unlight and of course the current vocalist (and replacement of Corvus) in Horna. A fascinating entity with a name (and foreboding absence of a drummer of flesh and blood) that spells something different is contained within ‘Accelerated Death Impulse’.
Indeed, one would argue that AntiHuman Industries it quite a far cry from Finnish Black Metal as we know it, at least on the surface. The band has focussed on a niche Black Metal style that has lingered mostly in the underground: Industrial Black Metal. ‘Accelerated Death Impulse’ mixes the likes of the scene-defining albums by Mysticum, …And Oceans, Trollheim’s Grott, Blacklodge, Diabolicum and Dødheimsgard into one. Taking elements from each of those bands, it is rather stripped down in its approach. The drumbeats are less pronounced than on Mysticum’s ‘In the Streams of Inferno’, musically the compositions are far less insane than Dødheimsgard’s ‘666 International’, or not quite as musical as ‘A.M.G.O.D.’ and ‘Cypher’ by … And Oceans. Instead, the album comes closest to ‘Planet Satan’ by Mysticum, mixed with blistering intensity of ‘Grandeur of Hell’ by Diabolicum and the atmospheric elements of …And Oceans and Trollheim’s Grott. Quite straightforward in its Black Metal, deep down it carries the typical DNA of Finnish Black Metal in the riffs. Yet it’s the pulsating mechanic sound with the otherworldly keyboards that give the album its suffocating atmosphere.
At least to me there is always an association between Industrial Black Metal and going over the top. This is not in the least because in some cases these ventures into this style felt like one big experiment. Take for instance Dødheimsgard and … And Oceans. In both cases it seemed a temporary trip that was quickly abandoned after all the quirkiness was out of the system. What AntiHuman Industries does well here is to keep the insanity reigned in. It’s about sharp Black Metal riffs that form a solid backbone. While the synthesizers and samples add an extent of madness to it, it never feels too weird. And even though the drums and beats are continuously droning, they are never too much. It feels odd to say, but in comparison ‘Accelerated Death Impulse’ seems rather accessible for the average Black Metal fan trying to explore Industrial Black metal. Though that may be something the hardcore fan of the genre may not appreciate as much, I personally find it refreshing that the song always wins over going overboard in abandoning all sanity and convention.
Although certainly the bands mentioned above amassed a substantial number of followers, Industrial Black Metal forever seems a style condemned to resonate in only a fraction of the Black Metal world. Not in the least because the number of artists that truly embraced the style are limited. It’s good to see bands like AntiHuman Industries, but also for instance Dead Flesh stigma and Doedsmaghird a year or so ago, bringing new life into the genre. Whether it’s a true burst of life for the genre or just a few projects to, as I stated earlier, vent some quirkiness, will be decided by time. But for now ‘Accelerated Death Impulse’ is a very enjoyable record that might draw some people into exploring or revisiting Industrial Black Metal. And if you like the droning intensity without too much freakiness, chances are you will enjoy this album a lot.
