There was no dramatic countdown, no oversized teaser campaign, no launch show framed as a spectacle. After half a year of hints scattered across their socials and a handful of singles dropped without ceremony, Saigon-based death metal trio KINH have finally released their debut full-length, “NGHIỆM”. For anyone following the underground scene, this release is not a surprise, but a confirmation. All the fast riffs were tested live.
On paper, “NGHIỆM” pulls from Death Metal, Thrash, Black Metal, and Grindcore. In practice, it refuses to sit neatly inside any one of those boxes. The record carries the blunt force of death metal, the sharp edge of thrash, and flashes of blackened atmosphere, but it also injects the street pulse of hardcore.
There’s a sense of cohesion throughout the record, but also unpredictability. Tempo shifts hit without warning. Breakdowns don’t overstay their welcome. Blast beats give way to groove-heavy passages that feel just as confrontational as the fastest sections.
Built on the Stage, Finely Fermented in the Studio
The album was recorded at Replay Records, with Bomb handling vocals, and mixed there as well. A choice that keeps the sound grounded and immediate. There’s grit here, but it’s controlled. The low end punches without drowning everything else. Guitars cut through with clarity while retaining their abrasion.
Mastering was handled by The Lab Mastering Room, tightening the overall impact without sanding off the record’s edges. The result is a debut that sounds huge!
Visually, Nguyên Dốc‘s artwork complements the sonic intensity. It doesn’t scream for attention; it pulls you in and lets the music do the damage.
You can stream “NGHIỆM” now on Spotify and YouTube, or support KINH directly via Bandcamp.
