Himsa's 2001 EP,
Death Is Infinite, finds the band with a new vocalist in the form of John Pettibone and a massive hardcore sound that gives the listener a taste of what is yet to come. Musically,
Himsa provides a full-course banquet of mouth-watering metalcore. Technical brutality pours forth from the speakers as each song on the four-track EP progresses, and Pettibone's tortured vocals have the ability to penetrate deaf ears. Tim Mullen's drumming batters the listener with relentless ferocity, especially on "Hellbent & Hammered." Guitarists Brian and Kirby Johnson highlight
Death Is Infinite, as even the dull spots present on the EP are somehow morphed into moments of clarity and importance by their playing. Oddly enough, the disc's liner notes claim Clay Layton as being in charge of electronics for the album, yet his touch is almost completely vacant.
Death Is Infinite is not an incredible album by any means, as even at its best the metalcore produced is fairly routine, but it does allow
Himsa the chance to showcase their new vocalist. Given time, Pettibone should mold nicely into the band, and future releases are bound to only see the band move skyward.
Himsa make solid hardcore metal that long-term fans should pick up, but
Death Is Infinite is nothing more than an average metalcore album. ~ Jason D. Taylor