One of the most interesting extreme metal bands around these days is a Danish band called Baest (Danish for ‘brute’).
The Danish quintet may not reinvent the vintage death metal book of recipes but they do put their own spin on the genre. Based on the signature HM-2 guitar sound, Baest obviously has a Scandinavian connection but they are not averse to incorporating British (Bolt Thrower) and U.S. influences (Death) in their tracks. Their 2018 debut ‘Danse Macabre’ and follow-up ‘Venenum’ (2019) are a statement of intent, delivering savage riffing, crushing grooves and chaotic dissonance. Expectations were high for the all-important third album and ‘Necro Sapiens’ delivered big time. The unsettling atmosphere is still there but more melodic passages serve to emphasise the fierce brutality that surrounds it. The album has everything an OSDM record should have while pushing the boundaries just a little bit further. High time to welcome the Baest back to Alcatraz!