Review Summary: Cataclysm the album.
Humanity's Last Breath didn't grab me right away, but once they did, they quickly became one of my all-time favorite deathcore bands. Their album "Ashen" definitely lives up to the hype. It's packed with explosive energy and massive soundscapes. Imagine the Oppenheimer nuke scene, but that intensity runs through the entire album, track after track. The standout feature of "Ashen" is its incredible production quality; everything feels enormous. From the deep, bass-heavy synths to the layered ambient guitars, the sound is just massive. Those eerie synths are a key highlight, creating a vibe that feels like you're in a danger zone, filled with a sense of unease. It reminds me of that mission in Call of Duty 4, "All Ghillied Up," where you're surrounded by radiation and always on edge.
While the song structures on their previous album "Valde" felt a bit scattered, "Ashen" really steps it up. The tracks are much more coherent structurally, with catchy riffs that stick with you. There's a passive chorus type of feel to "Lifeless, Deathless." The catchy melody isn’t in your face; instead, it kind of lingers in the background, gradually sneaking into your head without you even noticing. Similar to Vildhjarta, this album falls into the downtempo deathcore category, offering a darker twist on djent with an enticing atmosphere that pulls you in. The chugging grooves hit hard and are always a blast to jam to, especially the chorus of "Withering," which has a fun stop-start rhythm that’s super enjoyable.
The album's vocals aren't anything out of the ordinary, but that's not really what it's all about. The main draw here is that thick, dense atmosphere and those heavy grooves. Still, there are some standout moments with the vocals, like the neat effect on the first track "Blood Spilled," which makes it sound like the vocalist is getting sucked into a cosmic vortex. Plus, the backup vocals really amp up the album's intensity. It's a subtle addition, but it definitely helps to elevate the overall feel.
I'm really happy to see that modern deathcore isn't leaning on blast beats like some of the classic bands used to. Those older groups often felt a bit excessive; the real highlight of deathcore has always been those chugging, groovy breakdowns. The blast beat segments can get dull and just feel too intense. Sure, "Ashen" has some blast beat moments, and "Instill" has a section that drags on for a bit, but it's nothing compared to what those older bands did. The tracks always come back to those massive, catchy chugging grooves that are just epic.
The production is definitely over the top, pushing everything to the max. It’s super compressed, but honestly, I see that as a plus. I’m all about that modern sound, and this album nails it. Sure, it can feel a bit repetitive as it goes on, but it’s not a big deal. The chugging grooves keep things fresh, with different elements popping up in the background and catchy hooks that keep you engaged. There’s never a boring moment. "Catastrophize" stands out as the highlight of "Ashen," featuring some of the dirtiest, heaviest chugging grooves you’ll ever hear. Like a massive beast lumbering along, ready to devour you whole, all while those catchy melodies sneak in and out of the mix. The breakdown hits hard, making it feel like the world is collapsing into chaos. Forget the production nitpicks; this album isn’t too loud—it’s just the right level to capture that feeling of total destruction.
