{"id":14448,"date":"2025-04-09T08:59:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=14448"},"modified":"2025-04-09T08:59:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:59:40","slug":"review-afflicted-truth-the-seeking-of-redemption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/09\/review-afflicted-truth-the-seeking-of-redemption\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Afflicted Truth –\u00a0The Seeking of Redemption"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Afflicted Truth –\u00a0The Seeking of Redemption<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afflicted Truth is a one-man death metal project from South Africa that has been around for quite some time. Originally begun by brothers Hilton and Grant Lazenby in 1996, this band has been not so quietly churning out some pummelling noise in the underground for over two decades, and somehow escaped getting much attention until recently with their most recent release The Seeking of Redemption<\/em>. With an impressive back catalogue of demos, live material and full-length albums behind the project, let\u2019s see how this recent release on Christian Underground Records stacks up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Seeking of Redemption<\/em> Review<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wow. Afflicted Truth does not deal in subtlety, so if you\u2019re usually trepidatious about approaching death metal bands, I\u2019d say run far away from this one. But if you\u2019re like me and love the extreme stuff, then read on. With Afflicted Truth, relentless is the operative word, I think, when it comes to describing The Seeking of Redemption<\/em>. This is death\/grind territory in which we find ourselves here. The solos on here have to be heard to be believed; usually on grind and death\/grind records, I don\u2019t expect such hyper-technical, precision displays of sonic violence where actual notes are intended to be heard, but Lazenby\u2019s guitar work here is on another level. This is insane stuff – intense and unrelenting like Broken Flesh, Dying Fetus and Flesh Incineration all combined into one. Though the drums on here are programmed, they don\u2019t sound annoying, tinny, or artificial but actually carry some incredible weight to them. If you\u2019ve ever wondered what it\u2019s like to be inside an anti-aircraft gun going off at full speed, well, here\u2019s the closest equivalent I can think of. If chunkier riffs are your thing, Afflicted Truth has you covered, mimicking deathcore\u2019s chugging style without descending into atypical breakdowns. On The Seeking of Redemption<\/em>, there\u2019s simply no time for breakdowns, no time for slowing down, no time for anything other than an absolute full assault on the senses. The vocals are guttural in the best way – deep roars that command the tsunami of riffs and blastbeats overwhelming the listener. In terms of the hybrid style of death\/grind, this is pure bliss. Final track \u201cPresence of God (Instrumental)\u201d is like a stunning thrash metal solo drawn out over nearly five minutes of brutal grind that makes this album worth the price of admission alone. Seriously, this is mandatory listening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Themes and Lyrics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afflicted Truth keeps things simple. As with most grindcore bands, lyrics can often be quite simplistic, and here is no exception. The common theme on this record is of standing strong in one\u2019s faith despite the world and its attendant noise, distractions and temptations. Nothing ever gets too heady or intellectual here, with things kept to the basics: carry your cross, follow the path of repentance, avoid the pitfalls of heresy and error, and follow after Christ. Of course, these are profound concepts, but Afflicted Truth keeps it all to a simple delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, I can\u2019t believe this artist slipped by without catching my attention. Hilton Lazenby obviously knows what he\u2019s doing, and is possessed of some incredible skill. If you\u2019re in the mood for being aurally beaten to a pulp, Afflicted Truth will oblige. It\u2019s not for everybody, but to miss out on the insanity of those guitar solos shrieking and swooping over the machine-gun fire of blastbeats below is something else. You\u2019ll feel like you just ran a marathon by the end of it all, but it\u2019s worth it. This is top-tier stuff. Highly recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Fans Of<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n