Deathcore Connoisseur Issue 1: A Take On New Gutturals, Blastbeats & Brutality
Editor Paul 'Browny' Brown has described me to our readers as Wall of Sound's Deathcore Connoisseur. Now, I like a dank breakdown as much as the next metaler, but these are some big expectations being set. Nonetheless, I thought I'd share some of what I've been tuning over the past month in terms of deathcore releases.
Left To Suffer – Leap Of Death
The Atlanta group have been surging upward with modern deathcore noises paving the way for the next generation. I've been following Left To Suffer ever since 2020 singles 'Loathe' and 'Anger'. Vocalist Taylor Barber may be one of the most gracious and humble vocalists in the scene, but let me tell you - he might be one of the most ferocious. Having spoken to the frontman about a track-by-track of their sophomore EP And Dying Forever, and then seeing Adam Rice's chat with the gentle giant in Canada - it's clear these guys are just getting started.Third album Leap of Death just came out and sees Barber infuse his new-era clean vocal effort, as showcased on side-project Phone Booth. Whilst he's going balls-to-the-wall heavy with System Of A Down's Shavo Odadjian on Seven Hours After Violent, Barber tempers his demonic roars with stunning cleans across Left To Suffer's new album.With production second to none of their discography, the band invite the likes of Paleface Swiss' Marc Zelli and ten56.'s Aaron Matts (plus a whole lot more) to snowball the pandemonium. Definitely give this one a spin for a half hour of power.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sntBaps_5FI&pp=ygUObGVmdCB0byBzdWZmZXI%3D[/embed]
Saltwound - 'Hollow'
An obvious next on my list over the past couple of weeks is emerging outfit Saltwound who are blowing the fuck up with a new era, having just signed to SharpTone Records. The Northern Californians turned heads with tracks like ‘The Company You Keep’ and 'The Negative'. The deathcore/slam trio deliver an aggressive take on heavy music, orchestrating beatdown energy with some brutal deathcore tones.The new signing comes with hot single 'Hollow' where the band self-describes this track as “NORCAL VIOLENCE.” Vocalist Spencer Timmons is unforgiving across the track with belching vocals across a bassy symphony of ballistic riffs and slamming drums. If this is your first time hearing of this band, go back through the discography and get ready for a step-up with their new label.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOXU36Nl_Bo&pp=ygUQc2FsdHdvdW5kIGhvbGxvdw%3D%3D[/embed]
Fit For An Autopsy - 'Hostage'
I've spoken about this track before, but with a new column - it'd be remiss to not mention Fit For An Autopsy's return to our streaming services. 'Hostage' sees the post-deathcore unit step into a new level of maturity where they turn the page on Oh What The Future Holds, with a double-down clean vocal experimentation. With Will Putney's magic at hand once again with the Human Warfare band, you just know new record The Nothing That Is will be one to remember - set those alarms for October 25.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5yvijpC0xU&pp=ygUaZml0IGZvciBhbiBhdXRvcHN5IGhvc3RhZ2U%3D[/embed]
CABAL - Magno Interitus Reworks EP
Yes, it's a reworks/remix/deluxe or whatever, but it slaps. Blonde Danish legends CABAL stepped out of the gate with Magno Interitus after Nuclear Blast Records gave them a red-hot-go and it's got to be one of the best decisions they've ever made. With Andreas Bjulver leading the way on vocals for this Scandinavian deathcore dreamboat band, CABAL are getting the attention of the heavy music world with stunning breakdown and a unique and effortless approach to the genre.After heading down to Australia for the first time last year with Earth Caller, CABAL have shaken hands with our country's very own Misstiq to step up the title track with synth that'll have you hoppin' and head-bangin'. We are loving what Misstiq is bringing to the scene and her flavour on this track is simply delicious.Spin the rest of the EP release to hear CABAL's fresh take on their explosive third record.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iqYvejBOr0&pp=ygUNY2FiYWwgbWlzc3RpcQ%3D%3D[/embed]
Bodysnatcher- 'Infested'
There's this band you might've heard of called Lorna Shore. Well, they're touring Australia for the first time ever in February, 2025 with a band from Melbourne - no not the down under city known for fruity lattes, but rather Florida, USA. Bodysnatcher are gearing up for new EP VILE CONDUCT out on September 3, and third single 'Infested' is the kind of deathcore calibre that'll make you pull a 'stank-face' that might hurt. The tempo and down-tuning is simply destroying.Preceding the gorgeous production of 'Infested' were singles 'Human Disdain' and 'Murder8' where the American new-age boys invited Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta to add his own hardcore flair. The quality of deathcore being delivered is not worth sleeping on, so prepare for hell with VILE CONDUCT.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klII8lk7c6A&pp=ygUYQm9keXNuYXRjaGVyLSAnSW5mZXN0ZWQn[/embed]So, this is the kind of thing I'm thinking of sharing on a semi-regular basis. Are you into it? Did I miss the mark? Let me know - until next time.Words by Ricky Aarons (@rickysaul90)
