INTENSUS
Intensus
[Metal Blade Records]
Verdict: 9.5/10

Anyone following the giant Metal Blade catalog probably has also noticed the number of collaboration projects coming from it these days. The latest, INTENSUS, is headed by Eli Litwin of KNIFE THE GLITTER, BURDEN, and NORMAL LOVE. The multi-instrumentalist has even done more than that, but let’s focus on INTENSUS for now. This project has go to be my favorite from Metal Blade in recent history, as it just pulls in so many great artists to contribute. Eli wrote this album to be spontaneous sounding, and it shows. INTENSUS covers a lot of ground with its grindcore, metal, and thrash habits. Featuring such vocalist contributions as Tommy Rodgers (BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME), Robert Meadows (A LIFE ONCE LOST), Jesse Korman (THE NUMBER TWELVE LOOKS LIKE YOU), and a number of others, INTENSUS continues to blow the listener away track after track. Personally, I found myself most attracted to “New York, Yeah Scranton (feat. Jerry Jones)”, “Colon Cleanse Your Sins (feat. Jesse Korman)”, and “I’m A Wisdom (feat. Tommy Rodgers)”, I’d have to admit that every single track here offers something spectacular. This isn’t only a must have release, it might just be one of the best of the year. Metal fans need to find this one as soon as it releases; you won’t be fucking sorry. – by Nathaniel Lay