The Pitch: Portland, Oregon band Vitriol, influenced by the eclectic likes of Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, Nile, Xasthur and Deathspell Omega, unleash their debut full length with the support of Century Media Records.
What I Like: Having already reviewed their first EP and had the pleasure of catching them open for Imperial Triumphant here in Portland, I was pretty stoked to hear this new album. My apologies for it coming so late. Initial reactions? Holy f#$k is this heavy. To Bathe From The Throat Of Cowardice kicks off at 11 and never really lets up until its over. I previously compared the vocals to Morbid Angel, and that comparison has perhaps only grown stronger in the past 2 years. Take them and Demigod-era Behemoth, add a heaping dose of grindy technicality, and scorch until blackened. And seriously, take notice of the guitars on this album. While compositions can become so oppressively dense that it can be difficult to decipher all that is going on, I implore to take a closer listen. From thrashy, Slayer-esque solos to black metal tremolos, Vitriol seem determined to utilize every genre across the entire fretboard. "The Rope Calls You Brother" is a prime example with an intro straight out of a Gigan record. No slouching on the drumming either. Serious blastbeats and double bass.
Critiques: Returning to the point of sheer density, I do wish that the instruments had a little more room to breath. I appreciate the bulldozering effect, but my brain often feels overwhelmed trying to take in everything at once.
The Verdict: To Bathe From The Throat Of Cowardice is an absolutely pulverizing extreme metal album that is among the heaviest of the year. Definitely give this album a listen, and catch them on tour if you can. They look like backwoods serial killers from a Rob Zombie film.
Flight's Fav's: The Rope Calls You Brother, I Drown Nightly, Pain Will Define Their Death
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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