Downfall Of Mankind – Vile Birth
Release Date: 29th April 2022
Label: Lacerated Enemy Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Slamming Symphonic Deathcore
FFO: Lorna Shore, Mental Cruelty, Signs of The Swarm, Shadow of Intent.
Review By: Ryan Payne
From the moment I got the email across about reviewing the debut album “Vile Birth” by the slamming symphonic deathcore band Downfall of Mankind, I was already going into it with high expectations, being such a big fan of the genre. Halfway through the first track and I can already tell that these guys mean business and this is going to be an incredible album. Being labelled in a genre with so many incredible bands breaking boundaries in the metal scene, such as Lorna Shore and Shadow of Intent, I was half expecting the album to be an easy knock-off of the following bands, but I am so happy to have been proven wrong.
“Vile Birth” is the second release from the 5-piece band from Portugal, following their debut EP “The Path of Human Existence” which was released by the band in 2020, gaining them a following in Europe and the attention of their current record label, Lacerated Enemy Records. In a collected statement, Downfall of Mankind had this to say about their debut album:
“We are extremely excited and happy with this new journey ahead of us, so much to show and so much more to work on Definitely a big step onto our careers”
Now for the album. Every track is a thick blend of beatdowns, breakdowns and riffs, complimented by some incredibly hard-hitting drumming and layered with symphonic elements that keep the listener engaged. The tracks have no fixed tempo or structure, leaving the listener always guessing on what’s coming next, sometimes even catching them off guard. The band have clearly taken a huge inspiration from modern day deathcore and added in elements of slam and black metal while making it unique from the other bands already in the circuit. The musicianship alone is enough to sell anyone who is a diehard fan of the genre.
Vocalist Lucas Bishop absolutely dominates every track on this record with his diverse range of gutturals, high screams and pig squeals. The guy sounds like a monster and could even rival some of the more established vocalists in the scene.
That being said, my one pet peeve with “Vile Birth” is the guest vocalists that feature throughout the record. Downfall of Mankind features the likes of Caleb Branham (LOWLIFE), Julian Truchan (Benighted), Kyle Anderson (Brand of Sacrifice) and Luis Dias (Counteractt), and while they all deliver their parts with the devastating force, you’d expect from names like this, I felt they weren’t necessary, given the display Lucas delivers consistently throughout. The recognisable names will no doubt attract fans that aren’t familiar with Downfall of Mankind, and I hope they seriously get the recognition they deserve. Vile Birth is by far one of the most brutal and well put together albums of the year so far and I very much look forward to seeing what they unleash on the world next. 
(5 / 5)
