Given the overwhelming praise of their debut full-length effort Visions In Verse (the follow-up to 2003’s Three Faces Of Eve EP), and the successful stretch of touring the band did around the country in support of the said release, I’m surprised that its taken three long years for Perth (Western Australia) based melodic death metal act Vespers Descent to finally deliver their long awaited follow-up.

Absence issues aside, the long running band have indeed once again returned to the studio, and come back with not only a new line-up (the line-up now comprises of vocalist Richard Clements, guitarists Grant Burns and Shannon Over, bassist Adam Fitzgerald and drummer Ben Mazzarol), but also a new EP in Reality Dysfunction.

Opening up with some really effective sound effects, the band quickly get things off to a blistering start with “Spectral Awakening.” It’s immediately clear that the band have never sounded tighter in the studio, with their professionalism improving ten-fold. But apart from performance and sound (the production, handled by the band themselves, too has improved much since their last outing), Vespers Descent have also strengthened their songwriting as well, with “Spectral Awakening” showing a solid grasp on dynamics, with everyone within the band given their opportunity to shine on their respective instruments.

The chaotic blast of the title track “Reality Dysfunction” (which originally appeared on Prime Cuts Music’s 2007 compilation album A Blaze In The Southern Sky) is an even better example of the band’s growing confidence in crafting songs with variables, with the inclusion of acoustic guitars and passages of spoken word woven into their Dark Tranquillity influenced take on the melodic death metal sound.

Although a little slower in pace, “Deceiver” definitely stands out with its catchy riffing and memorable chorus, while the more direct sounding “Cryptic Visions” simply pulverises everything within reach.

Cover tunes are nothing new to Vespers Descent, and this time we’re given a blast through of At The Gates’ classic “Blinded By Fear” which the band pull off admirably.Finishing up the EP is the wonderful acoustic piece “Eclipse,” which again shows off the level of musical skill within the band.

The only real fault that could be levelled at Reality Dysfunction is its brevity. But given that’s the only criticism I can find here, I can honestly conclude that Vespers Descent have certainly raised the bar for themselves with their latest release.

www.myspace.com/vespersdescent