INTEGRITY - "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME" (2017)

INTEGRITY - "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME"
(Running time: 57:37 minutes; 14 songs)
("Relapse Records"; 2017; CD):

I think I've already mentioned one or two times before that 2017 was a very, very strong year music-wise, at least so in my book, and that it also saw the return of the almighty INTEGRITY is only one more further proof for/of my statement. 'Today' for the first time (ever) via the legendary "RELAPSE RECORDS" the outstanding INTEGRITY released their newest gem "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME" at the 14th of July of 2017 and it is (so I think) the successor album to/of "SUICIDE BLACK SNAKE" from 2013 (don't ask, I still don't know it so far... shame on me) but in my case it is finally my first 'meeting' with them again since their (al)mighty "THE BLACKEST CURSE" killer (from 2010) that I seven years... or so... ago also reviewed up here. Since then a lot of various records in different formats had been released by INTEGRITY but due to 'troublesome real life stuff'n'issues' most of them went under my radar (so far) and I know it (by) myself so you don't have to say it... shame on me... But anyhow, because finally in 2017 I managed to get my hands on INTEGRITY's newest offering "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME" already last summer pretty soon when it was released back then and this totally mindblowing fantastic masterpiece absolutely 'consumed' me, it conquered me and it 'kept me conquered' up to this present day since then. To or for me INTEGRITY were always and still are one of the very best (if not sort of the best) and also one of the most unique and inspiring as well as influential Hardcore bands ever outta there and of an importance of a far wider (out)reaching kind than solely being just a Hardcore 'thing'. They were and still are sort of an absolutely lifechanging importance to/for me in a lot if not (nearly) all ways and meanings. My first experience with INTEGRITY was way, far way back in 1995 with their absolute groundbreakers and total lifechangers "SYSTEMS OVERLOAD" and "HUMANITY IS THE DEVIL", two albums that will forever rank up high on my larger than life albums list, and in 1997 with "SEASONS IN THE SIZE OF DAYS" they absolutely conquered their crown and throne and both they maintain unrivaled up to this day and age and present day. And in 2017 they are finally back again and serve us this outstanding piece of art that "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME" totally is. I am absolutely blown away again and again by this masterpiece every time I put it on, again and again, and all the time. This is once in Cleveland born'n'based'n'raised metallic Hardcore fueled by blasphemic/satanic and nihilstic rage and energy without end and sheer 'atomizingly' harsh exploding dynamics and sheer 'ultra-violent' force that absolutely takes no prisoners, no, not a single bit, not a single one, and that simply conquers everything and anything by storm and that especially outshines all and everything with its tight, dense, very sinister and diabolic and nihilstic atmosphere and its massively mindblowing and worldshattering and definitely larger than life overwhelming intensity that marks it all in a very, very immense and stunning way. All is done and delivered by highest skilled musicians via phenomenal outstanding songwriting that is not only larger than life 'overwhelmigly' intense and mercylessly heavy and tough as nails harsh but also incredible diverse and highly varying and all is also massively 'rich' in every meaning(s) and so on "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME" the almighty INTEGRITY work (and this in an impressive smooth flowing way without any sort of breaks or holes or any blank space/-s in the song-architecture/-s) not only massive(ly) Metal elements and influences and impressions into their absolutely unique metallic Hardcore musick, first and foremost especially Thrash Metal but also Black Metal and Death Metal marks are clearly to be found and also sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller Doom (Metal) inspirations crush right out of the speakers and overwhelm you instantly and totally, but also traditional Heavy Metal and classic Hard Rock elements (especially in the guitar leads and the harmony and melody lines in general this influences very or pretty often shine bright but also in the rhythm structures this impressions can be found) and even Blues and Country just wait to be discovered here on INTEGRITY's "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME", oh bloody hell yeahr, and also the more or less for INTEGRITY typical 'classical/traditional' (slightly) Industrial marks rage one more time again beneath the surface of it all, yes, and also every resistance down hammering Hardcore Punk roots that are still very alive and well you will find en masse on and in it all here. The foundation clearly is very unique and sinister, evil, harsh, heavy, intense, crushing, and fast raging, very fresh and totally alive/lively done metallic Hardcore (some may call it Metalcore, okay, but personally I wouldn't do so, but okay...) but or and from this foundation on so incredible more is happening and going on on here, hell yes, INTEGRITY will leave your mind absouletyl blown (out) and your eyes and mouth wide open while your ears ring in constant excitement and hellish pleasure. All is without regrets and without mercy pushed forward by the intense and absolutely unique and charismatic hellish screamed and throaty'n'harsh shouted 'all-out-war-blasted' lead vocals of/by the legendary Dwid Hellion himself, the devastating crushing guitars, and the smashing and thunderous/thundering rhythm section, yes, and all done on one hell of an impressive level of skills and identity. To name any bands to compare INTEGRITY with makes no real sense after all because INTEGRITY pretty much were the first and still are the best and the greatest of'n'in their style but for example a great band like the mighty RINGWORM (and so many others more) would not exist or would not be around the way they are around without INTEGRITY, point and fact. This is HOLY TERROR HARDCORE of and at its very, very, very best!!! The whole album is incredible rich and more than 'just' great and in all honesty it's (nearly) perfect, yes, from start to finish, yes, and so I spare me the mentioning of any sort of personal favorite tracks because you definitely need to experience INTEGRITY's "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME" in all its larger than life glory. Fantastic lyrics, an outstanding gorgeous artwork, and a blasting'n'bombing production sound finally round it all up, yes, it's (at least nearly/almost) perfect, period. INTEGRITY's "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTNARE SHALL CONSUME" is an absolutely phenomenal and amazing album and one of the very, very best (and most unique) ones of 2017 and surely in years as well as for years to come, oh yes, and if I would have done a more sort of my 'traditional' year-retrospections on 2017 then you would find INTEGRITY's "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME" definitely in my personal top five (if not even in my personal top three) list. Okay, so I think now you should know all what you need to know so far and my last words here and now are that anyone and everybody only slightly into extreme (Hardcore) musick really have to know and own this absolutely mindblowing larger than life masterpiece. HARDCORE!!! FIST!!!
(10 of 10 points)
https://integrity.bandcamp.com/ (- the link to the Bandcamp site of the band)

INTEGRITY - "DIE WITH YOUR BOOTS ON" (2017, "HOWLING, FOR THE NIGHTMARE SHALL CONSUME")