Thrown around without a second thought in the world of Metal, Heavy, is quite possibly the most common form of praise. Yet what if there was actually a band that quantified not only for its colloquial meaning but for its defined one too. Waking from their troubled slumber, the obelisk that is Immolation has begun to stir. Combining elements of dissonance, the band’s obsidian riffs have paved the way for some of the most nefarious sounding melodies in Metal. Combining the trio of vocals, drums and strings Immolation not only create a racket but have moulded an iconic sound, a sound that is by every single definition Heavy.
[tracklist]
- The Distorting Light
- When The Jackals Come
- Fostering The Divide
- Rise The Heretics
- Thrown To The Fire
- Destructive Currents
- Lower
- Atonement
- Above All
- The Power Of Gods
- Epiphany
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]45:00[/length]
[record_label]Nuclear Blast[/record_label]
[release_date]February 24th 2017[/release_date]
[/details]
As the final element of hope is firmly mangled in “The Distorting Light” our gateway into the world of the uncompromising Atonement is opened. From a dive bomb come pinch harmonic, were forcefully pushed into the abyss. Combined with the dissonance, baleful riffs makes for a truly humungous combination of immovable power. Particularly nearing “When The Jackals Come” track’s end when the cacophony comes together to form an undertone of grief. The primeval marching rhythms of “Fostering The Divide” force the lingering lead notes forward whilst retaining Immolation’s trademark out of time solo sections where guitar is independent. Benforce returning back to the tracks beginning just as empirically as it arrived so does it stomp off.
Yet instead of creating a miasma of trickster time signatures, deceptive riffs and out of kilter melodies. , Immolation, understand the necessity of continuity. Cataclysmic in their delivery the use of semi incoherent pinch harmonics merely heightens the arrival of a riff perfectly exemplified in “Thrown To The Fire“. At times sounding like waning argument, each instrument is begrudging the other until somehow, they coalesce to form an absolutely unstoppable sound. Able to bring a song to a grinding halt, the band are at once again able to mould the song to their bidding. Vocally Ross Dolan‘s performance is absolutely incredible, becoming the the face to their immovable deity his growls are positively rapture inducing. Without over doing it drummer Steve Shalaty anchors each song perfectly standing as some of the finest and most imaginative drums to come out of Death Metal for quite a while. Of course there is also praise always met for the guitar stylings of Robert Vigna too whose undercurrent of uncertainty lies within the record throughout its entirety.
The notable element that has always been with Immolation is their own edoficial movement. Firmly rooted the likes of “Lower” or title track “Atonement” do not wander aimlessly but create footsteps with a sense of purpose. Creating a fantastically ominous aether, focusing much more on the power of the riff the second half of the record contains slower more iron clad sections. Aided by the ever moving drums which contrasted against the stop and start motion of the guitar give an unstoppable version of forward momentum in “Above All“. Having successfully conquered Immolation scrutinise the aftermath before lumbering further into the void, looking for anything further to eradicate. For those who have been starved of something that would truly come under the definition of Heavy, look no further.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]A record of absolute power, Immolation extinguish any fire that young bands might have showing that going up against these titans of Death Metal, will only be met with failure.[/why]
If you like what you read / heard then you can pick up the record here!
