Defiled's ninth album, Altered State, marks a significant shift in their sound, moving away from the chaotic and uncategorizable nature of their earlier work. The album showcases a more controlled and refined approach, while still retaining the band's signature brand of wackiness and rhythmic complexity. With a blend of grindcore, thrash, and death metal influences, Altered State is a memorable and engaging listen, despite some predictability in its structure. The album's production quality has improved, giving the material a classic death metal heft, and the songwriting is strong, with catchy riffs and memorable tracks. The band's vocal approach, featuring a solid deathly growl with a hint of groove metal grit, is consistent and abrasive, though it could benefit from more variation in phrasing. The bass excursions, while improved in production, still need more space to shine. Overall, Altered State is a strong return for Defiled, offering a course correction and a step towards their strongest work in a decade. The album is a testament to the band's ability to write the music they want, regardless of critical reception, and it will undoubtedly provoke a positive reaction from fans of the genre.
