Welcome to our “Seven Deadly Songs” series where we feature a song from different bands each week. We go down the rabbit hole exploring metal both past and present. Enjoy the trip!
Deathcore Massachusetts metal band The Acacia Strain’s new tune “FRESH BONES” off the album STEP INTO THE LIGHT via Rise Records. Theres a powerful message to be heard here about the dark side of humanity and decay of morality. Not that we need reminding of this fun fact but none the less the lyrical content is very well written. Musically this song is brutal with sludgy breakdowns and Vincent Bennett’s signature vocal stylings that we have come to love over the years. Overall Im never disappointed by anything this band puts out.
Belgian sludge/doom metal band PREDATORY VOID – ‘Endless Return to the Kingdom of Sleep’ off the album ‘Keys to the Discomfort of Being’ via Century Media Records. Dont let Lina’s angelic voice fool you, shes luring the listener into a psychosis fueled dimension filled with nightmares, sleep paralysis and subconscious fears. As the song progresses the singing goes from melodic to tortured guttural screams. The narration takes you down a rabbit hole of despair and fear. This is not a happy tune. This song reminds me of watching the movie ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ where eventually you will do anything to keep from falling asleep. Its dark and heavy and should definitely be on rotation.
Alabama metal band Gideon share the new song ‘Take Off’ from the album ‘More Power More Pain’ via Equal Vision Records. This song is an experimental fusion of groove, funky beats, nü-metal which is seeing a huge insurgence, and a dash of electronic hip hop flavor to add to the mix. It sounds a bit strange but it really works. As the vocals layer into the fray, the evolution of the breakdown progress and is insane. The monstrosity of Daniel McWhorter’s crooning is the perfect pairing with the high octane formula of the band. Listening to the song ‘Take Off’ transposes you into a conceptualized auditory getaway.
The band Strigoi dropped a new tune on us this week titled ‘The Construct of Misery’ via Season of Mist records. Its an exclusive stream on the Decibel flexi series only at Decibel Magazine at THIS LOCATION. The new song is an unsettling barrage of blackened death doom frills and shrills that take the listener on a rollercoaster ride of eccentric riffs, chaotic vocals and grizzly themes. Fasten your seat belt.
Japanese Gore-specialists FESTERDECAY’S new album Reality Rotten To The Core via Everlasting Spew is an explosion of metal. FesterDecay formed in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan in 2015. The song Rotten Fester Decay is a deadly goregrind track with an intro that sounds like someone has just stumbled into a bloody disgusting crime scene to their great horror. As the climactic build-up progresses there’s screaming, ear piercing guitar riffs that lead into something that surprises you (is this Dimebag Darrell guitar influences Im picking up?) which is no easy feat when you’re submerged into metal every day. The vocals are guttural and ferocious. This band is a force du jour and I foresee them becoming huge in the metal scene.
DUSK – Agnes of Rome off the album Spectrums via Dusk studio. Dusk is a one man band with Saudi Arabian artist and architect Meshari Sangora. Spectrums is the debut full-length which features 10 guest vocalists by Saudi and Kuwaiti musicians. The song Agnes of Rome features a collaboration with ABZY, a self taught singer-songwriter from Kuwait city. The talent and arduous work that was put into this album collectively is impressive. The international flavors and languages in which each song is performed I find irresistible. Im a person who enjoys all genres of metal and if the piece of music in question is well done even better. I dont shy away from diving into metalcore or any other genre to experience a piece of music. This album is uniquely designed with multiple genres, styles and influences. Agnes of Rome is no exception and the bridge is a beautifully written piece of music with clean melodic vocals. The subject matter is a very interesting piece of literary history. The whole album is worth digesting.
Witchrot band, ‘Burn Me Down’ off the album Live in The Hammer. This band is one of those hidden gems you stumble across. An avant- guard, psychedelic rock meets doom metal outfit. They are a twist of retro and modern music. Lea Reto’s contralto vocals are reminiscent of early Grace Slick as she belts out powerful Sirenic and hypnotising lyrics. The musical theme is dark and disturbing as they unravel a tale of woe and despair.
