Band:	Binaash
Album:	Pagalos Bowlamu
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	November 25, 2023
Guest review by:	Cynic Metalhead

01. Lide (Timro Muhaar Ma)
02. Kasaai
03. Science Is The New Religion
04. Naya Shuruwaat? (Pratigami Pragati)
05. It Doesn't Fucking Matter
06. Huri Bataas
07. Adhuro
08. Morbid Melancholy
09. Subhakaamana
10. Outro - Malaami (Death Journey)

Emerging from the heart of Nepal, Binaash stands as a formidable force in the realm of Nepali death metal scene. With two albums and an EP under their belt, they're on the verge of solidifying their presence within the global metal scene. The self-titled debut, Binaakshari (review here), released in 2012, is deeply influenced by the likes of Morbid Angel, Death, and Krisiun, while also confronting the harsh reality of power outages in their homeland. Now a decade later, this Nepali death metal quintet returns with their sophomore effort Pagalos Bowlamu, which acts as an extension of the debut album, the sound getting more rawer, aggressive and punchier, but unfortunately being ruined by the abysmal vocals.

Binaash's latest offering, Pagalos Bowlamu diverges sharply from the conventional expectations of death metal, plunging headfirst into the realm of deathgrind with relentless intensity. Contrary to the self-proclaimed title of "death metal machine", the band seeps into territory of dark introspection ("Huri Bataas" and "Adhuro"), existential musings, and touches of dark humor throughout the album. "It Doesn't Fucking Matter" and "Science Is The New Religion" serve up biting social commentary. You might be wondering why the reviewer is covering themes over music? That's the USP of Binaash: their commitment to prioritizing lyrical themes above all else, making their music a vessel for thought-provoking narratives rather than centralising on the death metal landscape.

In terms of direction, Pagalos Bowlamu plods along the same route of the debut album, rehashing guitar solos along with heavy bass and great drumming. Unfortunately, this is undermined by the crass vocals, which soun like a poor attempt of replicating Benighted's Julien Truchan. The production is amped with polished instrumentation and brilliant mixing, giving a visceral sonic experience that might have you in the album's grip for a good period of time.

Overall, Pagalos Bowlamu attempts to surprise fans, marking a return after a 12-year hiatus with a sense of anticipation and nostalgia, but it ultimately falls short, delivering a borderline good experience characterized by familiar songwriting and echoes of their debut album. It's as if the band has chosen to replicate their past successes rather than charting a bold new course. For a band hailed as a tour de force in the Nepali death metal scene, this stale offering begs the question: is it high time to become innovators rather than imitators?! Introspect, while foreseeing a future of Binaash touring with bigger bands on the major stages like Wacken Open Air, Hellfest or Roadburn.