The Pitch: Denmarks's djenty deathcore band Cabal return with their crushing sophomore album Drag Me Down via Long Branch Records. FFO: Lorna Shore, Thy Art Is Murder, Whitechapel
What I Like: Cabal may fall most readily into the deathcore category, but they make it clear from the megaton sledgehammer "Gift Givers" that they're more than happy to toy with everything from black metal to grindcore. This opener wouldn't recieve any scrutiny were it to appear on a Vermin Womb album with its relentless blastbeats and unhinged vocal performance. Other tracks like "It Haunts Me" give the likes of Lorna Shore a run for their money with a bombastic, symphonic approach, while "Tongues" is easily in my top 3 heaviest tracks of the entire year so far. And once more, regardless of approach, the entire album is oozing with foreboding blackened atmosphere that seems to siphon your very life essence like The True Knot of Stephen King's Doctor Sleep. Throw in guest appearances from Matt Heafy (Trivium), Jamie Hails (Polaris), and Kim Song Sternkopf (Møl) and it really is a must listen for fans of all things heavy, regardless of subgenre.
Critiques: Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed by the singles that Cabal chose to build the hype. Fortunately my expectations were easily met by the album once I got to hear the entire thing, but I would have chosen any of the tracks below as the real standouts.
The Verdict: I was already impressed with their stupid heavy 2018 debut The Mark Of Rot, an album that I immediately purchased a physical copy for after only a few listens; but with Drag Me Down, Cabal clearly have no time to waste for a sophomore slump.
Flight's Fav's: Gift Givers, Tongues, The Hangman's Song
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
SUBSCRIBE to our Trench Talk Podcast on iTunes, Castbox, YouTube, and BitChute. You can also like and follow us on the social media of your choice with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and support us on Patreon.