The Pitch: Copenhagen, a current hotbed for the most dark and deranged blackened hardcord sounds, brings us the debut album from Telos via WOOAAARGH. FFO: Hexis, Converge, Eglise
What I Like: After teasing us with the abrasive single "Helios," I was excited to hear more from this new force from the darkest corners of the hardcore/mathcore scene. Telos do not dissapoint with this self-titled outing. Like cenobites emerging from some depraved, otherworldly portal, they bring with them both pleasure and pain; frequently blurring the lines in between. Very similar to countrymates Hexis and LLNN, Telos utilize a swirling torrent of cataclysmic drumming, blazing guitars, and blackened/deathened vocals to bring the entire f#%king house down. This is about as metal as hardcore can get. To push it any further would be catastrophic. The opening track, "Hadean," is even named for an eon of chaotic formation during which the surface of the Earth likely resembled what we think of as Hell. From the ripping bass solo of the multitextured "Ape" to the mathy, Dillinger-esque opening riffs of "Deity pt. 1: Wither," this album will own you.
Critiques: Just work on taking it to the next level. Do something I haven't heard before.
The Verdict: I can't get enough of the Copenhagen sound. There's a very specific type of distortion and overall approach to guitar that has come to define the region, and Telos are taking it to its absolute zenith. These guys have jumped the line and arguably become the area's best new export.
Flight's Fav's: Hadean, Ape, Deity pt. 1: Wither
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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