REVIEW: Ingested - Denigration [2026]
Artist: Ingested
Album: Denigration
Several months ago, when Ingested first announced the release of their highly anticipated eighth studio album, the band described the record as “…about being ground down to your smallest, ugliest version and deciding whether to give in or to weaponize it.” At the time of that statement, it seems pretty unlikely the UK slamming death-turned-deathcore juggernauts knew just how closely the album’s concept would mirror their own situation. However, in the same initial press release, Ingested also describe Denigration as “a bold new adventure, one defined by reinvention.” And while these same words are probably found in hundreds of band biographies and press releases, they too also ended up ringing shockingly true for the act. With Denigration, we indeed see Ingested overcome a crippling insult that might have sunk another act—but instead, we see the band through a new lens. Leaning back into speed, technicality and abrasive aggression in comparison to The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams, Denigration is an unyielding assault of lacerating blast beats, dynamic fretwork and unholy heaviness, with the result being an incredibly strong entry into their robust discography that is sure to satiate fans of those The Surreption days just as well as it will usher in those who have grown more accustomed to their modern deathcore stylings.
Denigration is carefully crafted to confidently stride the increasingly thin line that divides brutal death metal and deathcore—but not in the somewhat cringe-inducing way seen within the recent uptick of “slamming deathcore” bands. “Dragged Apart” and “Stitch by Stitch” are examples of immolating speed and scintillating technicality. Here, Ingested’s most metallic urges come to fruition, soaking the listener in a punishing amalgamation of skin-rending blast beats and gargantuan, flesh-dragging riffs and atmosphere. Throughout the entirety of Denigration, the listener is subjected to not only lightning-fast drumming, but lightning-fast drumming that is mixed to damn near perfection. The snare is bright, pingy and explosive without being a meme, and the kick drum is both dense enough and loud enough to cut through the frantic fretwork that defines Ingested’s most metallic of cuts. This shines on album intro “Dragged Apart,” where frankly the first thing to register was just how good the snare sounds—and it doesn’t get old at any point throughout the record’s impressive 40 minute run time. Other songs—like personal favorite “Steel Toe Truth” and barn-burner “Dredge the Dark”—bring out the band’s boundless proclivity for everyone’s favorite: the breakdown. Here, goliath chugs work their way into everything—riffs, grooves, breakdowns, you name it. Ten-ton guitar teams up with tremendous bass and the aforementioned immense percussion to wallop the listener into submission. “Merciless Reflection” is another outstanding example of Ingested blending deathcore into their firmament of vile death metal excellently, serving as a strong throwback to Surpassing the Boundaries of Human Suffering or The Surreption.
Moving beyond Ingested’s mastery of ultra heavy musicianship (something prominently established for the lion’s share of their 20+ year career), Denigration’s vocal element is one that demands praise—both in its conception and delivery. The first project of theirs not featuring Jason Evans on vocals didn’t exactly go to plan, and as a result, the vocal duties throughout Denigration were handled by guitarists Sean Hynes and Andrew Virrueta. The result is immense, and Denigration is in no way lacking vocally as a result of their aptitude. “Stitch by Stitch” and “We Are All Inherently Evil” stand as titanic metallic efforts, leaning heavily into death metal of various stylings with transient forays into heavier territory. On the other hand, “Merciless Reflection” and “Steel Toe Truth” are jarring examples of just how ruthless the duo can be when it comes to all manner of blistering gutturals and sharp, piercing screams. The icing on the figurative cake that is Denigration comes with the boatload of outstanding guest vocal appearances throughout the release—whether its PeelingFlesh’s Damonteal Harris, CELL/Varials’ Skyler Conder, Dying Fetus’ John Gallagher, you get the gist—there are a bunch of features and they all add something immense to Ingested’s dynamic, whether its a tasteful addition from a genre legend or a sweltering testament from (relative) new blood.
When one considers how close Denigration came to just…not happening, the fact that it stands as one of Ingested’s strongest entries to their discography overall—let alone their best record in recent history—is dizzying. Throughout this monster of a release, Ingested readily demonstrate how they became internationally renowned in death metal and deathcore communities—as well as the increasingly large sections of the sonic Venn diagram that overlaps the two. Denigration is an immense release laden with aggression, brutality and technicality in spades that will leave no fan of the band—past or present—in want.
8.5/10
For Fans Of: Aborted, Devourment, Despised Icon, Dying Fetus, Bodysnatcher
Connor Welsh