Page 95 - Metal Hammer Issue 334 - UK (May 2020)
P. 95
ALBUM REVIEWS
their third full-length. a sense of eeriness
A thrillingly unhinged reminiscent of Dimmu
examination of the human Borgir helping to form their
body, health and “the vision into something rich,
essence that forgoes enveloping and far bigger
intellect,” Viscerals is their than a three-piece band
most consistently enjoyable could normally achieve.
– and head-cracking – Their 15-minute finale,
OMEGA INFINITY album to date. Frontman fizzing with complexity,
Solar Spectre Matt Baty leads the is yet another statement
SEASON OF MIST charge with some viscous of their burning ambition.
Inhuman broadcasts from the far performances reminiscent QQQQQQQQQQ
reaches of the BM universe of Jesus Lizard’s David Yow. FOR FANS OF: Baroness,
Omega Infinity’s debut Hell’s Teeth is the catchiest Amenra, Stake
pulls you towards its effort Pigs x 7 have ever HOLLY WRIGHT
all-consuming maw like created and perfect for In This Moment: normal
a deep-space black hole. a singalong, the crushing, service will not be resumed
Dark-ambient passages, groove-laden World Crust
industrial sonic booms, will open pits and recent IN THIS MOMENT
interstellar Darkspace- wounds, while Rubbernecker’s
esque black metal, splicing of Jane’s Addiction- Mother
punishing funeral doom/ esque melodies with ATLANTIC/ROADRUNNER
post-metal shifts… all are Goatsnake’s blues-fuelled Maria Brink hones her visceral, hard rock chops
used by Todtgelichter’s riffola is a more than
Tentakel P. in various welcome curveball. REVULSION
configurations throughout, QQQQQQQQQQ Enough To Bleed THIRTEEN YEARS ON
to paint evocative celestial FOR FANS OF: Big Business, BDHW from debut Beautiful Tragedy,
spaces where no human Torche, Girl Band UK metallic hardcore crew bring LA’s In This Moment couldn’t
would survive. Space is EDWIN MCFEE fresh layers of fury on their debut be further away – sonically
fucking cold – and Omega Revulsion have moved into and visually – from their
Infinity’s extreme metal, more progressive metallic melodic metalcore
which also appears to draw realms since their debut beginnings, having
upon sci-fi cinematic scores EP, Misery Hymns, but their flourished into hard rock
for dynamic arrangement debut full-length also provocateurs by the release
and timely use of bombast, displays a more crafty, of 2012’s explosive – and
is capable of reaching structured side to their sexually overt – Blood. Live shows became synonymous
absolute zero. The post- gameplan, and it suits with eye-popping Rob-Zombie-meets-Lady Gaga
human screams from them swimmingly. While theatrics more akin to cinematic carnivals, whilst
Xen (Ne Obliviscaris) and PSYCHONAUT not all 10 tracks here are follow-up’s Black Widow and Ritual dabbled in darker
visitant vocals from C. Kolf Unfold The God Man memorable, they’re all electro-pop sensibilities, weaving in occult-themed
(Valborg) and Marta PELAGIC powerful and enraged, songs to sit alongside bluesy flourishes.
(Todtgelichter) elevate the Belgium’s ambitious post-metallers and the consistently On this seventh album, Maria Brink and co expand
drama, whether it’s on the drop a dose of classic psych combative vocals and ‘take on the sonic sorcery of their past material, attempting
raging solar flares of Mars, While the cascading riffs on no prisoners’ pace is to cast a heavier spell via 14 mantra-centric songs.
or, in the case of the latter Psychonaut’s instrumental a captivating combination. Accordingly, sandwiched between two ominously
guest, the feminine Venus. opening track lure the However, it is the most atmospheric interludes, the pulsating electro-thump of
QQQQQQQQQQ listener into a sense of layered tracks such as Fly Like An Eagle and lead single The In-Between hypnotise
FOR FANS OF: Darkspace, comfort, the real hook on mercilessly heavy amongst a flurry of distortion and fire-spitting vitriol.
Thorns, Blut Aus Nord Unfold The God Man is the Antagonism, following its Exhibiting the same soaring range of albums past, Maria
DEAN BROWN vocal partnership of Stefan strong introduction with somehow manages to raise the level of intensity on her
de Graef and Thomas explosive fury, and screamed vocals to the point where it’s as if she’s tearing
Michiels. Their harmonised Conflagration, with its the demons from her vocal cords.
mourning and desperate introductory audio sample, Skip to We Will Rock You, with guest spots from
screams cut a dual-faceted angry turbulent riffs, and Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale and The Pretty Reckless’s Taylor
figure against the album’s deliciously grating roars, Momsen, and you’ll hear the Queen classic given the ‘girl
jaunty progressive backdrop. that shine brightest. Gems power’ treatment. Despite the collective vocal prowess
Here the dark, labyrinthine like these, Distress and and guitarist Chris Howorth’s six-string precision
sound is a constant tumble invigorating closing track behind it, the cover doesn’t quite deliver, but in a live
of jagged atmosphere- The Pain Process suggest setting with the full pyro treatment, could well steer into
PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS utilising sludge, post-metal that Revulsion are onto chest-beating anthem territory. Elsewhere, huge hooks
PIGS PIGS PIGS and doom to add weight to a winning formula. For the and gleaming riffs abound on As Above, So Below and
Viscerals the funereal mood while most part, this debut is the groove-tinged Lay Me Down, but Into Dust trumps them,
ROCKET RECORDINGS lighter motifs, like the definition of dirty, gritty, its spine-tingling introspective keys building to an
Newcastle’s psych/sludgers throw Floydian interlude on menacing, and immensely impassioned climax. With Mother as their next chapter,
some more rabbit punches
Sananda, splice up the satisfying heaviness. In This Moment are fully embracing their evolution.
This pigeonhole-bucking sombre barrage. Chords jolt QQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQ
quintet look set to continue against soniferous cries on FOR FANS OF: Malevolence, FOR FANS OF: Halestorm, Butcher Babies, The Pretty
their march towards the Kabuddah, and momentary Venom Prison, Sanction Reckless
top of the UK rock tree with drones and choirs foster NIK YOUNG SOPHIE MAUGHAN
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