2025 is proving a good year for fans of bruising Death Metal. Benediction, Cancer, Gruesome, Bear Mace, all bands who have brought out high quality releases. Add to that list the third album by Inhuman Condition, Mind Trap.
Inhuman Condition – Mind Trap
Release Date: 27 June 2025
Words: Paul Hutchings
I have been into this band since they formed in 2020 after guitarist Taylor Nordberg and drummer/vocalist Jeramie Kling left Massacre and recruited legendary bassist Terry Butler. The band, named after Massacre’s 1992 EP, released two albums in quick succession in the shape of Rat God and Fear Sick in 2021 and 2022 respectively. 
There is no reinventing the wheel here. Just plain old heads down Death Metal that sits firmly in the same camp that these guys came from. It is not overly complicated. Nine tracks that bludgeon the head with gargantuan riffage and growling vocals in just over 31 minutes ensures that nothing overstays its welcome.
The pace rarely varies, with high tempo-driving drumming alongside ferocious, snarling vocals that sit perfectly alongside the overall feel of the record. The adage of “if it ain’t broke” is certainly applicable here.
Maybe it has taken Inhuman Condition a couple of albums to get their sound. “We feel we have found our identity and finally moved past the link with Massacre,” says guitarist Taylor Nordberg. “We didn’t rush any part of the writing, recording, mixing and so on. There’s an element of comfortability on this album while still retaining that super hard edge”.
They have certainly found it now, and through nine tracks, they bring a steamroller that is relentless in delivery. You know what you are getting, from opener, Severely Faceless, the grinding Chaos Engine and the semi-Thrash of Recollections Of The Future through to closer, Science of Discontent.
As one would expect from a band who are deep rooted in the old school, the themes include blood, guts, serial killers, as well as a social observation on the state of the world. For a trio, this is powerful, crushing stuff.
It may not be breaking new ground in any way, but when this style is done well, it is a joy to listen to with Kling’s gruff delivery, his anchoring drums that link with Butler’s deep bass and Nordberg’s ferocious riffs.
There is a bit of everything here. Well, that is not strictly true. There is not ever going to be a ballad, is there? But the band can mix the tempo, as they do on Obscurer, which switches from blistering fast to measured power, or the upbeat pace of the final track, Science of Discontent.
It is evident that Inhuman Condition are locked in tight these days.
Self-produced, and with another of Dan Goldsworthy’s gruesome pieces of art gracing the cover, Mind Trap is a fine addition to an ever-growing catalogue of quality OSDM from a band who get better with each release.
Inhuman Condition release Mind Trap on 27 June 2025 via Listenable Insanity (US)High Roller Records (Europe). Pre-orders are available from InhumanCondition.bandcamp.com/music.
