As I wrote in a lengthy blog post in October 2024 (see here) back in the early 1990s, especially 1990-1992 I acted as "extreme metal consult" for my big bro. Meaning that I crafted lists of extreme metal titles that I recommended him to buy (for his growing album collection). And that of course when occasionally some of these lists of recommendations turned into actual post orders in those days, you can bet I taped all the albums for myself on C-tapes. Of course.
Well, in some cases there were amazing surprises, bands that I knew beforehand but the album which was ordered was a massive (positive) surprise, much more than what I expected. Those were naturally also cases which brought amazing vibes; I had surpassed my consulting skills kind of. :) There were bunch of cases like this actually in 1990-1992, but I have to raise one example case now especially as this came to my mind when I was crafting another tribute music video piece for this band.
So, ... the case of Inbubus (nowadays Opprobrium) and their second full length 'Beyond the unknown' from 1990. I knew the band as I had tape copy of their debut "serpent temptation" and I thought it was back then pretty nasty album, in 1989 when I had received it from a friend. Listened to that tape a lot, so as I saw "beyond the unknown" title by the same band, I marked it for my bro to buy. And so he did in one massive package of LPs he ordered in late 1990 or so. It was also an early Nuclear Blast release so it was another good sign for me. The order came via post and I was drooling over the pile of LPs as usual, and asked my bro for permission to tape the ones I wanted (I usually asked even that I knew he would always say yes of course and smile) and so I always listened to the LPs first a bit, to get initial impression. Then it was time for this Incubus album.
So, I expected to hear something in the vein of "serpent temptation". Right as the opening track "certain accuracy" started rolling, I realized it was nothing like the debut album. It was a moment of jaw dropping, whoa what is this ... the same band, this sounds so different!? That moment went very soon into big WOW! vibe ... right on the first listen, which was wild. You can bet I went taping that album fast, oh yeah. The band sure went few levels up musically from rather primitive "serpent temptation" debut album. Don't get me wrong, I sure enjoyed that debut album too, but this sophomore album grew big time on me, and back then I actually felt and thought "this could well be the next Sepultura right here" knowing that the Howard brothers originated from Brazil, like certain Cavalera brothers too, you know ... well, unfortunately Incubus never got anywhere, even that there was certainly a strong buzz / momentum going on with them exactly with this awesome "beyond the unknown" album. I was so so much waiting for followup around 1992 or so ... which never came as the band split around that time. Such a pity. But time can do great things sometimes ...
... the band has been few years with the exact same lineup they had with "beyond the unknown" (!) and it seems they are recording a new album, first time with this lineup since the magical "beyond the unknown". So much time has passed, freakin' 35 years since that forementioned album, and I'm truly looking forward to what kind of album they'll come up with. Also you gotta respect the Howard bros for carrying their flag of death/thrash through all these years, while suffering with some really poor production on some albums they've done and the fact that they had to change the band name too because of that freakin' rock band which stole their name ... their 2019 album "the fallen entities" feels like getting back into the good death/thrash mood, so as Mark Lavenia (bassist) returned to the fold, too, it's definitely interesting to see what kind of album they'll record together after all these years. Fingers crossed for really good and fitting production for the next album.
I've done several tribute videos to this band in past year or so. Latest one (track "beyond the unknown") just within last 24 hours. I'll embed the tribute videos from my youtube channel below. Ancient underrated (especially the early releases) band worth checking out if you ask me, especially if you are into death/thrash stuff.
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