Here’s an interesting one. A self financed and released effort from a Swiss band playing Egyptian/ Middle East themed deathcore. No there is no punchline I’m afraid, and this is actually pretty decent stuff, even though deathcore haters will still fume.
Actually despite sticking rigidly to modern deathcore paradigms (pick whomever), the band’s little Egyptian flare ups are pretty unique. And while the metal the usual mix of big, brutal guitars, growl/screams and breakdown filled djenty deathcore is by the numbers, with the odd Qanun (a sort of sitar sounding instrument) and middle eastern keyboards as well as other twangs, beeps and boings, the whole affair comes across as one long version of the song “Abstract Art” by Born of Osiris with Whitechapel’s heft and Nile’s atmospherics. Take that as you will.
The vocals of Ian Girod will be the sticking point for some, as he has a very high register scream along with his standard inhaled bellows. That said there are no clean croons or wimpy singing. However, there is more than enough with the music going on within the hefty chugs , heaving lurches and occasional arabic shreddage and Sweeping desert ambiance to keep it pretty interesting. After intro “The Great March, “The Elevation” has a little of everything and is a pretty good indicator of the rest of the album. The likes of more blasting “The Judgement” or more Carnifex-y/symphonic “Burning Star” kept me thoroughly entertained between huge breakdowns and shoulder swaying, stuttering grooves (“The Divine Traveler”, instrumental “Out of Times”). None of the songs out stay their welcome or drag on, all mostly being around the 3-4 minute mark. The production is big and burly Drummer Baptiste Maier definitely one to keep an eye on as his double bass and steady blasts keep everything together
But for you deathcore fans still out there, there is of course also lots of bass drops and breakdowns, some mighty impressive such as “Ways of Transfiguration” and closer “Towards Infinity” ( oh boy, the synchronized headbanging in the above video will get some folks’ knickers in a twist) and if you liked the recent Pathways EP, this should be right up your alley. And from what I have heard of the new Whitechapel, this might have to be my go to deathcore/djentcore album for 2016….
