All Out War: Celestial Rot

Wow, that's some pretty wicked cover art. All Out War are a veteran metalcore act from New York that pre-date the whole booming "verb the noun" fringe bang-core scene by damn near a decade. They also sound almost nothing like those bands, being a much, MUCH more aggressive and abrasive act. Celestial Rot is the band's 8th full length release, and I can say with certainty that these guys are freaking pissed and at the very least don't sound like they are wearing their girlfriend's pants.

The very term "metalcore" conjures very specific preconceived notions in most of the greater Metal community. You know all the usual trappings; the At The Gates worship, the prerequisite breakdown with chugging stop/start guitar, and the empowering lyrics about sticking up for your buds and non-conformity. All Out War really doesn't subscribe to any of those tropes on Celestial Rot. These songs are chock full of Death/Black metal influenced riffs and some of the most tormented and primal vocals you'll ever hear. There's breakdowns, but they are thick, gnarly, and evil sounding. I suppose you could do the whole karate kick mosh pit thing to most of the album if you tried, but you'd look like an escaped mental patient on bath salts. It's pretty intense. The lyrical themes are all dark, nihilistic, and downright bleak. "Celestial Rot", indeed.

Out of the 10 tracks found here, none of them eclipse the 3 minute mark, and the entire experience runs just under 26 minutes. In this case, that's a merciful choice, as none of these tracks are particularly memorable. It's all a blur of brutality in the end, and the vocals are so extreme and guttural (not to mention atonal) that you'll probably have very little to remember the album by. I do applaud the band for delivering something different than the established norm of the genre, but that doesn't always equal good.

Sheer extremity and grime only go so far once the novelty wears off. If you are into All Out War's whole "Behemoth from New York with breakdowns" vibe they have going, or if that sounds at all interesting to you, Celestial Rot would be worthy of a listen. Maybe I'm just not angry enough for what these guys are selling, and for that I suppose I'm glad.

Tracklist:
1. Snake Legion
2. Glorious Devastation
3. Wrath / Plague
4. Hideous Disdain
5. The End Is Always Near
6. Caustic Abomination
7. Revel in Misery
8. Celestial Rot
9. Weaving Oblivion
10. Shroud of Heaven

Added: June 3rd 2023
Reviewer: Brandon Miles
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 237
Language: english

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