The Pitch: Seattle death grinders Theories (former members of Samothrace, Black Breath, Skarp, Book Of Black Earth, etc.) drop a new album via Corpse Flower Records. FFO: Black Harvest, Full Of Hell, Okazaki Fragments
What I Like: "It's pissed off and so are we." Touche, Theories. Seriously, the snare tone alone on this bad boy is pure distilled hatred. They tightened that head to the max, and the resulting blastbeats are a sonic beating. And while the drumming in general is a clear highlight of Vessel, the other musicians don't slouch either. Combining death growls and grindcore barking with a veil of distortion, the bileful vocals are positively inhuman. Pissed off doesn't even begin to describe it. Not to be outdone, the blackened guitar riffs are enough to make even the most pacifist of individuals see red. All of this comes together perfectly to produce one of the most oppressively contemptuous atmospheres you're likely to hear this year.
Critiques: Tracks are too long for this style of songwriting. I feel like the album would pack a more concentrated punch if they cut them down to a more traditional 1-2 minutes. "Lamprey" serves as a good example. Too much repetition.
The Verdict: Theories have the whole scorn thing on lock. I do think that its message would land even better with some trimming, but if you're just looking to amplify your bad mood, Vessel is the album for you. Get it this Friday.
Flight's Fav's: Human Vessel Cell, Harvest, Ill Will
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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