Tallah
Matriphagy


4.5
superb

Review

by CULTXiii USER (8 Reviews)
October 27th, 2020 | 37 replies


Release Date: 2020 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A reminder of why I love the metal genre

I was first introduced to Tallah back in 2018 when I stumbled across their debut EP release of that year - No One Should Read This. It was a Spotify song recommendation that introduced me to the song Red Light. Since then I have followed this band avidly and awaited this year's release Matriphagy with much anticipation.

The Pennsylvania quartet formed in 2018 and consists of vocalist Justin Bonitz, second generation drummer Max Portnoy (son of Dream Theatres former drummer Mike Portnoy), guitarist Derrick Scheider and bassist Andrew Cooper, both of whom Max had formed previous relationships with on the Philadelphia music scene.

The Matriphagy album is probably one of the freshest album releases' I've heard in the last few years. Maybe this album holds a special place in my heart because I feel a sense of nostalgia with its nu-metal vibes or maybe it's because this is just one hell of a fantastic heavy and downright interesting concept album. The bands influences are clear here from Slipknot to Korn and everyone in between from the Nu-Metal days of the late 90's early 00's. It's also interesting they are not afraid to admit this.

Each of the band members shines on this release from Justin's impressive vocal range to Max Portnoy's epic drum skills which interestingly he didn't learn from his dad, he had actually learnt most of what he knows from a drum tutor from a very young age.

Justin in his own right has created quite a buzz online with his vocal tuition videos (Hungry Lights) and it's always been entertaining to see his one take vocal videos during a recording session for Tallah or a reaction video from some YouTuber for each song release - Just for fun YouTube Tallah L.E.D reaction videos.

On that note - The breakdown on the song L.E.D is quite probably one of the best breakdowns and climaxes to a song I have heard in a very long while. At the three-minute mark the band unleashes an absolute sonic pummelling that relentlessly beats you even when you are down. Superb stuff!

Each song within the album has their own stand out moments albeit sometimes subtly which will have you listening to this album over and over again. Whether it be Justin's voice cracking on the second verse of 'Overconfidence' or the very theatrical, delirious ramblings in Red Light it's just an absolute joy to listen to. Without putting all of the attention on Justin it's worth noting that his vocal range can go from a schizophrenic hostile rasp to one of the most brutal toilet bowl guttural death growls absolutely seamlessly.

It's very hard to fault this album as the performances are so strong and the song writing is very much on point. It would be fair to say a few of the songs here would sit well in any of Korn's early back catalogue. It's mixed well and is incredibly fresh and each band member is heard whether it be the downturned bass guitar to the heavy crunching guitar tones soaked in feedback and turntable scratches. This album is a concept release for the band and it certainly does tell a very dark tale and one every fan of extreme metal should experience.
I suspect this band has a very long and bright future ahead of them and I for one have never been this excited for band for many years - In fact it's had me writing my first album review in over two years.

This ladies and gentlemen is Nu-Core at its finest and the metal community should welcome them with open arms.



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user ratings (143)
3.7
great
other reviews of this album
Your #1 Most Loved Semiaquatic, Egg-Laying Mammal (4.5)
Thanks to Tallah, nu metal is the freshest its been in years....

turnip90210 (4)
Potential becoming realised...

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Comments:Add a Comment 
dawija1017
November 1st 2020


694 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Pretty solid album honestly...takes a few listens to fully digest and understand what's actually being presented but once you understand, it's actually quite brilliant.

AsleepInTheBack
Staff Reviewer
November 27th 2020


10402 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

jesus, what janky brilliance is this?



it's awful and excellent and I'm confused

ktlilian
November 30th 2020


3 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

My dad has been raving on about this album. He brought it from bandcamp so I thought I would give it a go. A lot better than I expected. It just feels like a breath of fresh air from all these trashy metalcore bands that are around right now. The are doing something not many are doing right now.

Thalassic
November 30th 2020


5740 Comments


Rules yeah

dannooo28
December 4th 2020


408 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Murder Seed is addcting

bigweinerdon
December 15th 2020


2738 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Never understood all the hype around these guys and I finally gave this a rip last night.

Yeah this is fucking sick.

Emim
March 18th 2021


35950 Comments


Mad nu-metal vibes from LED

dixoncocks
April 5th 2021


3247 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This album is one of the sickest things I've heard in a long time. The last 2 minutes of We, the Sad is so fucking heavy, it just blows most metalcore out of the water. Their creativity and skill restored my faith in the genre.

EggboyCart
April 23rd 2021


2 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This album is on its own level of vile and disgusting.



Why do I love nearly everything on it?

bigweinerdon
April 23rd 2021


2738 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

album goes so hard its not even funny

DaveT0738
April 28th 2021


3121 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

L.E.D. goes haaaaaaaaaard



Supercoolguy64
April 28th 2021


11838 Comments


i should listen to this

DaveT0738
April 28th 2021


3121 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah definitely, it's worth a check

DavidYowi
May 9th 2021


3512 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

These guys did a cover of "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin and it swings like a motherfucker

bigweinerdon
May 14th 2021


2738 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I remember losing my shit the first time I heard Overconfidence. It's crazy how hard this album slaps. They have big shoes to fill for the sophomore release.

patrickbuit
July 4th 2021


393 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Underrated album on this website

DaveT0738
July 10th 2021


3121 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Mother fifer L.E.D is so fucking wild god damn

DaveT0738
July 10th 2021


3121 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Sick shit

bigweinerdon
August 18th 2021


2738 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

new single and it goes ham

CalculatingInfinity
September 16th 2021


9892 Comments


This...slaps?

Lots of moments on this go fucking hard. Only the 3rd and last track suck.



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