Boston based death/trash veterans make their Metal Blade debut after many years with Relapse Records, and this latest release is titled Deathless. Once again, the flawless technique of David Davidson (Guitars / Vocals), Dan Gargiulo (Guitars / Vocals), Brett Bamberger (Bass / Vocals), and Phil Dubois (Drums) is ever present, as tunes such as "A Debt Owed to the Grave", "Labyrinth of Eyes", and "Scorched Earth Policy" contains some of Revocation's trademark dazzling technical riffery and intricate rhythms. "The Blackest Reaches" also features some truly tasty harmony guitar leads from Davidson & Gargiulo to go along with those massive riffs, while "United in Helotry" might just be the most technical piece here, the arrangements weaving and churning yet all making perfect sense. It all sounds great right? Well, for the most part it is, but there's a slight generic feel to some of the tracks on Deathless that's a tad troublesome. The title cut for instance features some dull clean vocals from Davidson that would be more at home on the majority of cookie cutter metalcore releases we've all no doubt heard over the last few years, and "Madness Opus" just sounds like a song that's already been done a million times by countless bands. Also of note, both the instrumental "Apex" and the progressive "Witch Trials" almost sound as if the band are trying to resurrect vintage Cynic...granted, they do it amazingly well, but I'm just on the fence as to whether it's an avenue they should continue to go down. The guitar work however is off the charts on these songs...hell, that's the case on the whole album for the most part.
Overall, Deathless is damn impressive from a technical perspective, and whether some of the more accessible elements the band is bringing into their sound will create some skepticism within their loyal fanbase remains to be seen. A solid, enjoyable effort.
Track Listing
- A Debt Owed to the Grave
- Deathless
- Labyrinth of Eyes
- Madness Opus
- Scorched Earth Policy
- The Blackest Reaches
- The Fix
- United in Helotry
- Apex
- Witch Trials
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
