Review Summary: Simple, Pissed off, Down tempo deathcore.
Some time ago i had the pleasure of seeing the Wollongong, Australia based deathcore act Graves, i was absolutely amazed by there enormous guitars, powerful vocals, and infectious grooves. When i first returned home i instantly downloaded there 2011 Demo, it was good but it was no where near as heavy as they are live. Needless to say i was left wanting a heavier more intense release.
Well that is what they have done with Pestilence.
I will go through track by track explaining which songs i liked and which ones i didnt.
Pestilence- Pestilence left me dissapointed, it was a one minute breakdown, but not a groovy interesting one, just relentless chugging, not much i can say because it was so damn slow.
The Deciever- Ahhhh the true opener, this song starts all guns blazing, punishing grooves, brutal vocals and some rip snorter breakdowns, the song doesnt show much variation but thats ok because its pissed off and it will get people moving, a worthy mention is lead vocalist Rhys Benn's monster yell and roar, truly brutal stuff.
Death Dealer- This is my personal favourite track, it clocks in on the five minute mark and rightly so, the track shows variation between ambient buil up passages, brutal breakdowns, yet again monster grooves and a guest vicalist part which is the most devastating guest vocals i have heard in years. Cj (the guest vocalist) of Thy Art fame has a monster growl and his appearance in the song is sure to make moshlords go insane.
Extinction- This song moves at a stomping pace with brutal growls and very catchy lyrics, its makes me want to move and keep the ienergy going,it is a slow, down tempo, hate mosh anthem and what more can you ask for.
Locust- Locust was a fairly non descript song but it did the job by continuing the feeling of the ep, and its heavy so thats a plus.
Black Air- This ends the album in the groovy, sludgy way you would expect and it truly sends of a good ep with a good song.
Musically the guitars are simple but heavy and they do the job, the vocals are intense, full of hate, lyrics are pissed off "I am not your servant, i will not fuel your bloodlust, lyrics from Death Dealer", and the drums are pounding and heavy.
I am excited to hear more from these guys.
