Crown Magnetar is becoming one of the most consistent deathcore bands around. With 3 albums, including this one, and 2 EPs since 2021, they have consistently delivered some of the most brutal, straightforward deathcore around, coming very, very close to elite, big four status. And The Hollowing of Godflesh does nothing to change that.
The Hollowing of Godflesh picks up right where last year’s aptly named Punishment EP left off: blasphemous, punishing, bludgeoning deathcore that’s a relentless beatdown. No atmospherics, no epic keyboards or synths (though there are some teeny tiny bits buried here and there, ie “Dead Crown”, end of “Godkiller”), just a sub-30-minute pummeling.
And with Dan Tucker’s massive presence (vocally and physically), the whole thing is just disgustingly heavy. Starting with the slow and low menacing rumble of “Gun Eater”, an intro of sorts, then kicking off properly with “Desecrate Infinite”, then ending with “Dead Crown”, the album is a jackhammer to the face of blistering blast beats and teeth-shattering breakdowns from start to finish, in short, 2-3 minute-ish bursts.
Highlights are hard to find as the bludgeonings all run together, but certainly “Godkiller” and “Torture Engine”, with early Decapitated “Day 69”-ish razor-sharp riffage and massive breakdowns, are worth revisiting. But like being punched in the face repeatedly, all the punches feel the same; they hurt and leave you beaten and bruised afterwards.
But unlike being punched in the face, I’m ready for more once the album ends, and hit ‘play’ or ‘please start punching me again and again.
