Thy Art Is Murder mark their return to the scene with brand new album Holy War, have the Australian quintet matured over time or remained by much the same, the answer might just surprise you…
[tracklist]
1. Absolute Genocide
2. Light Bearer
3. Holy War
4. Coffin Dragger
5. Fur And Claw
6. Deliver Us To Evil
7. Emptiness
8. Violent Reckoning
9. Child Of Sorrow
10. Naked And Cold
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]39:00[/length]
[record_label]Nuclear Blast[/record_label]
[release_date]June 29th 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Fosters, one of the biggest exports from Australia, loved by many yet despised by some. And like Fosters many people seem to love Thy Art Is Murder, save for the elitist few that believe the band are made of simpleton riffs. First unleashing their brand of Hate on their album of the same name two years previous, it was one of the quickest received albums of the year. With the platform that Nuclear Blast brought them the band then embarked on an extensive world tour featuring 342 dates, just nigh of playing every single day for the year.
Deciding to return this year with the announcement of their new album Holy War the band began to tease their reappearance earlier this year. Much of the lyrical content deals with the usual thematics the band have adopted. Title track “Holy War” deals with the current state of affairs of war in the world, along with single “Light Bearer” dealing with the Lord of light himself Lucifer of course. Though the lyrical delivery might not be as high brow as some of the others out there it is no less impactful. Helped by the huge breakdown mid way through “Fur And Claw” we hear the words of CJ hurtling towards us “human parasite” making his hatred for mankind truly pronounced. Not to mention a guest appeared by fellow Aussie Winston McCall of Parkway Drive fame on “Coffin Dragger” one of the most vicious and relentless tracks on the album where the riffs build to an unearthly climax. Particularly the interplay between both guitar and drums in the verse sections a brilliant example of the class song writing the band employ.
Musically Holy War is very much the same package that we have come to know from the Aussies. Upon first listen the album seemed dull and almost a carbon copy of Hate packaged differently. With opening track “Absolute Genocide” essentially mirroring the introduction to “Reign Of Darkness” with the same dissonant style leads brining to mind that calm before the storm feeling. However on closer inspection tracks like “Deliver Us To Evil” exhibit more groove and find the band being more cohesive, rather than the stop start approach often adopted by bands of the genre. The love letters to Decapitated still remain with thick and fast riffing often in the diminished scale, along with the Behemoth style of drumming. Nevertheless Thy Art Is Murder have definitely retained their sense of style and I cite these bands as influences, not copies.
With songs retaining the sense of dread that the band build up to we see the likes of “Emptiness” begin with a solemn clean guitar introduction a first for the band. Giving way to that classic head bopping, I would argue that the band have not completely forgone the breakdowns yet have used them to a better effect. Solo’s are more apparent on title track and “Fur And Claw“. Though production wise it sounded a little quiet for my liking lessening the impact slightly, nevertheless it’s a tasteful and well executed solo. Final track “Naked And Cold” tails the album off with the arrival of the combination of riffs and leads that make for a truly apocalyptic feel, encompassing all the band stand for incorporating yet another swift but deadly solo before the lingering leads return once more for the post apocalyptic feel.
Though the band might be devastating both live and hold enough venom through headphones, there is a slight sense of familiarity with the moving from break down to fast paced riffing, though if you don’t mind that then Holy War is a no holds barred ride through hatred. There are always going to be the small minded that believe that a band like Thy Art Is Murder are just breakdowns after breakdowns, yet with Holy War the band have not yet reached their full potential but have begun their steps towards to experimentation. Putting an interesting modern spin on such an outdated genre in one fell swoop. If this is a sign of things to come then we should all be incredibly excited.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Offering a modern take on the lack lustre genre that is Deathcore the band are slowly coming into their own. With Holy War Thy Art have taken a big step in beginning an interesting journey that will have everyone turning their heads for all the right reasons.[/why]
