Almost exactly seven years since their last release (2015's Ageing Accelerator), Defect Designer is back with a fast, techy death EP from Transcending Obscurity, Neanderthal. Mixing in some grindcore influences to this release, the Norwegian quartet adds another dimension to their sound, and its quick, propulsive nature fits perfectly in EP format. Short, sweet, and blasting right to the point, Neanderthal is a wonderful showcase of Defect Designer's musical talents and songwriting ability.

Alternating between quick, grinding jams and tight and timely tech death pieces, Defect Designer put quite a bit on display with Neanderthal. From the moment go with the eponymous track, "Neanderthal," the listener is subjected to fast and furious metal. Deftly switching between fast, grinding numbers and longer (though short for the material) techy death pieces, Defect Designer keeps the pace moving and expectations up in the air. Not sticking to one style or particular pattern gives the band the chance to mix and match styles as they see fit, and the shorter length on the techier pieces works very well in combination with the brief grinding tracks. While not grindcore, per se, these faster, rougher songs add a nice ferocity to the EP. In addition, intriguing tech elements are added on top and help to expand the pieces vertically, as the abbreviated run time compresses them horizontally. This combination of styles expresses Defect Designer's ability to quickly convey their ideas and aims, while optimizing track time to eliminate drudgery. Neanderthal is a quick and engaging metalfest from start to finish.

While it may have been seven years since Defect Designer has popped up in "new releases," their latest EP, Neanderthal, is well worth the wait. While it may be shorter than fans have wanted, there is no wasted space and the EP format leads to multiple successive spins. Mixing fast and rough with techy and elevated, Defect Designer's latest is a wonderful and fun release.