I still remember the spring-winter season of year 2002-2003,when an unknown entity from Mizoram came, played and conquered North India rock festivals with their stupendous style and musical prowess. The band talked about here is 3rd Sovereign and the highlighted competitions were Delhi College of Engg and BITS Pilani Whosoever, has seen them in that era (I being one of the lucky few), or at the recently concluded Resurrection 5 festival in Mumbai would agree that they discharge-energy with unmatched stamina and eagerness to stretch to limits. 3rd sovereign have come a long way, evolving into an 8-legged juggernaut, which specializes into an art called DEATH METAL. However, they always lacked one essential ingredient in each of their performances-ORIGINALS! ‘Face of despair’ was the only saving grace original (released earlier on ‘Resurrection’ compilation last year) that used to make a cut to their set, which used to be filled with covers of Cannibal corpse, Carcass and Death. But this E.P having 4 new songs swings tide towards their shores making them one of my most respected bands under extreme Indian scene. ‘Destined to suffer’ EP opener has a very meaty distorted riff, riding on a furious fret work. A minute into the song tempo change occurs which reverts backwards-forwards. This immediately reminds about clear ‘Decapitated’ influence. Mala’s vocals are dry, mixing- matching Sauron (decapitated)-Benton (post-‘Serpents of the light’ era), drums are thumping, delivered with typical signature Reuben blasts which is refreshingly thick in production, unlike other Indian bands. Title track ‘Horrified visions’strats with a relatively slower pace, that picks from the intermediate section and develops into a cyclonic shape that gathers around you. Mala stands firm here alongside pinch harmonics by ‘Anshuman’ (G) during the penultimate shell, leaning into never ending kind of larynx growl-Butchers you away. (Heard it several times before commenting).’Everlasting burn’ is my favorite among the lot built up on a haunting intro moving towards a gentle bass tapping, that develops into a straight riff, which eventually expands into a hurricane effect when complimented by double bass, and after about a minute before unfolding of groove part, guitar churns with Reuben’s consistent snare beating, this! is sure to take toil on any ones neck. Then again after another minute and a half it’s back with a punch. May be I am stressing too much on it, but believe me it can put the best bands in business to shame. Another high point is band keeps unnecessary ‘leads’ out, that would have been baffling and obnoxious. ‘Suicidal corpse’ seems inspired by structures of CC’s last outing ‘Wretched spawn’. It’s got an immense display of powerful, hatefilled streamline growl execution, simultaneously enriched in a pain soaked scary note. By this time, you must have guessed what my verdict is going to be like. Therefore listen to the song to understand better.

Hence, ‘Horrified visions’ is brutal, bone wrecking technical death metal played with enthusiasm and self-belief.
ADD THIS E.P TO YOUR CATALOGUE NOW OR SUFFER FOREVER!