Review Summary: Short and punishing, Shrine is a fantastic demonstration of Cauldron’s ability to blend the subgenres of metalcore, hardcore, deathcore and beatdown into a frantic and aggressive listening experience.
Cauldron are a 5-piece metalcore band based in Birmingham, UK, formed in 2017. Shrine is Cauldron’s second release of 2018 and their first independent effort following on from their 4 track EP The Scars of Empty Faith released in May.
Notably, the production on this EP courtesy of Sam Bloor is a step up from Cauldron’s first release and serves their sound much more effectively. There are a number of huge breakdowns across these two tracks, punched home by the crunching resound of the guitar tone and gritty bass. The drums are fleshed out and feature a classic ‘pang’ sounding snare that you might find in some more raw classic deathcore releases.
Although Shrine features many of the same elements that give Cauldron the signature sound they established on their first EP, this release is a great stride forward in the progression and refinement of that sound. Shrine features two tracks, ‘Bathe (In Your Body Heat)’ and ‘The Azure Prison’, with a total run time of approximately 9 minutes, but it feels anything but short. These tracks rarely feature the same riff or hook for more than 10 seconds, making this an excitingly turbulent listen. The chaotic and hectic nature of these tracks is reminiscent of bands like Converge and The Chariot, featuring plenty of dissonance and harmonics, flexing the strong imagination and variation of Cauldron’s song writing capabilities. The unabating and hyperactive changes in the sections of each song keeps each listen an intense experience, with each segment no less crushing than the last. Lyrically, this EP features tones of anger, desperation and frustration, something conveyed actively through the harsh screams of vocalist Frazer Cassling, who’s wild and ferocious vocals pierce across these tracks. From the clean break in Azure Prison to the pounding breakdown at the end of Bathe in Your Body Heat, there is plenty on offer for an ear that enjoys a stimulating and engaging listen.
Short and punishing, Shrine is a fantastic demonstration of Cauldron’s ability to blend the subgenres of metalcore, hardcore, deathcore and beatdown into a frantic and aggressive listening experience. If you’re a fan of heavy music, Cauldron are one to watch in 2019, as this is only a sign of good things to come. You can catch Cauldron’s live release show for Shrine at the Subside Bar in Birmingham on December 20th.
