The DevilsHorns

Decathexis is the debut album from Aussie blackened death metal outfit Hebephrenique. Following on from a well-received EP a couple of years ago, the album is as tough a listen as I have heard for a good while.

Tough isn’t always a bad thing, perhaps Decathexis would be better off being labelled ‘challenging’ or even ‘rewarding’. It is a dissonant, often moody album that has vocals lower in the mix than some would like, but with a distinguished filthy production that fits the ambience of the 7 tracks on offer.

is faced with the decision on whether the obtuse technicality works for them or not. It will be marmite – some will loathe, some will love. The upshot of the structure throughout the album is that you are never bored.

The one track that strays from the norm number 4, ‘Ascent to Derilation’. Here, the vibe is more ‘sedate’ compared to the mentalist aspect of the rest of the album. At just under 3 minutes long, it is the shortest track on the 37 minutes long album, and it is by a long way the easiest track to settle into. It is immediately followed by ‘Argumentum Ad Baculum’, which immediately thrusts the challenging riffage back in your face. It is often not likeable, but you cannot switch off – you cannot step away as it almost entrances you.

Ultimately, Hebephrenique have released a debut that will strike a debate between those who love the discordant nature of the tracks as opposed to those who don’t ‘get’ it.

The decision is yours, but Decathexis is further down my albums demanding a 2^nd listen than many others in 2025.

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