Review Summary: Rogue Empire charges in a phenomenal music success by producing a tireless, fully-exuberant deathcore package that succeeded with an eloquent shot on both marks.
Deathcore is perhaps the one of the heaviest subgenre of metal, thus the sheer amount of attention it widely receives. The said concept is not regarded for any subjugated possibility of bringing something new to the table, but fusing it with other tranquilized elements to possibly deliver more comprehensive and scalable sound is one of deathcore’s potential to bring music to a whole new level. Definitely more bands continue to revolutionize deathcore, but sadly majority failed to do so, making the scene more stagnant than before and bring upheaval up to this date.
To be fair, some acts manage to mix things up and create audible deathcore experience. Rogue Empire, a five-piece deathcore act from Wisconsin has taken the time to seriously implement various elements to craft their full-length album
Overlord and produce a simply remarkable and ferocious embellishment to the deathcore library. Rogue Empire kicks off with their album-titled track, which directly boasts their influences, albeit giving more futuristic atmosphere by utilizing electronics to cover up versatility. It is simply an impressive start for an album, though nothing original to cover at all.
The brutal combo lies between “Deceivers and “Dominion” very well and adds off to their stash of powerful connections. “Deceivers” provides eerie piano progressions for visceral interlude before one of the highlight track, “Dominion” drops in with a fierce approach and raw aggression. Utilizing symphonic breakdown at the start and providing soaring electronics prior to this epic start, then going halfway through to finish it with another overwhelming techno breakdown, which is a perfect way to utilize said musical style without oversaturating the track through. “Empyrean” has its remarkable moments, and it signifies Rogue Empire’s signature style of sound very well. The brain-melting intensity of synthesizers that resemble Egyptian sound suits enough to keep the listeners going and moment by moment domination of electro-breakdowns never fail to give chills to each and everyone, giving a high octane experience delivery to a medium extent.
The album never ceases to deliver their sweet gimmicks and it is largely present in
Overlord. It’s really surprising and wise execution presented itself especially on the eight track, “Ghost.” At about 4:30, they unleashed a complete rehashed, crazy Lavender Town music theme from Pokémon, to complete a short, but fantastically brutal assault of a breakdown and finish the track off with a very disturbing, yet nostalgic ending.
Through each of the band member’s hard work, Rogue Empire provides an initial burst of symphonic malice to an excessive tremor of elusive riffs and settles for its conventional deathcore frenzy on
Overlord. It is sufficient enough to deliver your daily dose of hyper-modernized deathcore medicine, and perfectly maintain wide array of sanity in a vicious cycle.
