Artist: Last Days Of Humanity
Country: The Netherlands
Label: Bones Brigade Productions
Formats: CD
Year: 2006
This was an album I have been waiting for for over one year and a half for sure, as soon as I got to know the guys from Last Days Of Humanity were to record an album with Hans Smits (their original singer for the first EP’s and album and founder of the band). A last album to be precide, as this is their swansong after they decided to call it a day somewhere in February 2005, so the title of this album kind of adds to the imagination on both sides, as Last Days Of Humanity is quite a band in the progress of putrefaction, so to say. Despite my relentless whining for on last goodbye show they keep turning it down, so we really have to do it with this album instead, which nothing short of very impressing ‘goodbye-and-fuck-you’ statement.
When rumors surfaced about this album being recorded there were some complaints about kicking out former vocalist Erwin – who was seen as the most active person in the band by many – and letting Hans do the last album instead. But, when it comes to the result, it couldn’t have been better with anyone else then Hans. I know he even traced back his pitchshifter, which he sold some time over the years, so he could use it again for the recordings of “Putrefaction In Progress”. Though this is the last album, it doesn’t really sound that way at all, the agression and pure intensity is still there. The band can’t be imputed by passing off the matter at all. In fact this can easily be seen as the band’s best album along with “The Sound Of Rancid Juices Sloshing Around Your Coffin” (how about that!) and its early EP’s. This last album is a healthy (?) blend of what they’ve been displaying on the aforementioned debut album from 1998 and the slightly more blunt force mini CD “In Advanced Haemorrhaging Conditions” (with a total playing time of just over seven minutes!). Which means something like an even murkier sound with almost “St. Anger” alike snare drumming, which just fits the package so well. I already heard half of this album at least half a year ago and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the songs, but now the songs are mixed and mastered properly they sound even more brutal and vicious. Of course when it comes to looks, Last Days Of Humanity comes as nasty as it gets. It serves you with your daily healthy (there it is again) portion of gore and bludgeoning art. It might not be that clear to see, but the cover art shows some rotting female parts…
It is so very clear that this album was recorded and written to give a ‘big thank you’ to all the supportive people over the years, and they have done it in the best Last Days Of Humanity-tradition. I can’t imagine one single real fan of the band being disappointed by this ultimate farewell record. By the way, this won’t be the very last thing you’ll be bothered with from the band, if all goes well a double-disced discography album will surface some time soon too, so keep your eyes open, but “Putrefaction In Progress” wil cerrtainly keep you entertained for the meantime!
