I have always been impressed by the sonic output by this Canadian outfit whose blackened death metal onslaught is tempered by adept musicality and an inherent melodic nature. I caught the band at the Netherlands Deathfest in 2019 but was wholly unimpressed unfortunately with their performance which came across as lacking cohesion and the same can be said about this five track EP where every song seems to be chaotic and lacking a fluidity that the previous releases always had. It may be that said chaotic style is a deliberate move to create an EP that is unpredictable yet still brutalising but the end result is just confused making it difficult to absorb.
However I did like the guitar sound’s sharp scything tonal qualities where every riff pierces the mix with causticity and enraging intensity. When the song writing works these sections are potently effective and indeed every tune has some tenet of memorability as a result. After the brief intro piece ‘Hideous New Gods’ initiates a deluge in blasting fury where that chaotic fervour produces a frenzied style with breakneck annihilation. Being longer in duration ‘Carving The Axis Mundi’ is smoothly entered as the band emphasises multiple tempo changes amidst the hectic structuring that fans of the band may still enjoy. Added to the mix the multiple vocal styles add a level of charisma as each tone brings its own horror filled atmosphere to the EP such as demonic bellows, harsh throat savagery and occasional groaning wails that do work well.
‘Coffin Nails’ has a snare tap start that catalyses the blurring offensive that ensues as again that pandemonium almost bedlam like feeling is rife where the guitar work is utterly possessed demonstrating various histrionics within swirls of hooks and riffs producing a war like battery that leaves only the atmospheric title track to close the EP. With groaning voices and noises the song has an outro feel and indeed only acoustic style playing offered within the songs haunting backdrop that utilises a Middle Eastern like flavour in the melody. I’m pretty sure fans of the Auroch will say it’s business as usual but for me the EP comes across as laboured and lacking the power and ingenuity of previous efforts but don’t let that put you off investing your time and energy into this release, just don’t expect a stellar set of songs that you may have met on previous albums.
(6.5/10Martin Harris)
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