Deathcore Connoisseur Issue 2: From France to America and Back Down Under
If you enjoyed my inaugural Deathcore Connoisseur edition and recent roundup, we're back again with a couple of weeks of breakdowns and gutturals.
Following new records released from To The Grave and Oceano, there's a lot to chew on in terms of LPs, but what about some fresh singles filtering through? Today I'm covering some new jams that have piqued my interest.
ten56. - 'ICU'
I've got to kick this off with one of my favourites, ten56. These guys are relentless with dialled up chaos from start to finish on each of their tracks. After winding up a massive debut Aussie tour with Alpha Wolf at CVLTFEST, the French dudes are in their post-Downer era and nu-deathcore fans alike are salivating for it. After a delicious delivery of ‘Good Morning’ which we caught live in Brisbane, Aaron Matts and the fellas have just dropped ‘ICU’.
The three-minute tune sees Matts spitting across a scratchy mix with their signature echoing bass tornado ripple endlessly with squeaking riffs tearing through the deathcore ether. Matts experiments vocally on this one, controlling his unclean range where it fits and by doing so, accentuates his demonic persona. Listen carefully and you might even hear some djent tones slip through.
Shadow of Intent - ‘Flying the Black Flag’
Blackened deathcore sweethearts Shadow of Intent are back, baby! After delighting us a few years ago with their Elegy LP, this American group are back with the goods. ‘Flying the Black Flag’ has just dropped and what a delight it is to hear these blastbeats returning. With a tech-death edge seeping through, Shadow of Intent deliver a stunning deathcore artefact ahead of what we hope may be a new album cycle.
Chris Wiseman constantly impresses on the axe, particularly noting his range with double duties as he tackles a more melodic modern metalcore beast - Currents. You will be impressed with this new era Shadow of Intent which is just as brutal as you remember, with some fresh components.
Fit For An Autopsy - ‘Savior Of None / Ashes Of All’
Have you braced for another new record from Fit For An Autopsy? After punching us in the face with The Nothing That Is lead single ‘Hostage’ a few weeks ago, they return again with second new 'Savior Of None / Ashes Of All'. Once again, the new clean vocal range ensues in the sophomore single - a style we also heard in ‘Hostage’ but not in the same way at all across the band's discography.
The four-minute track has Joe Bad unleash gutturals alike preceding record Oh What The Future Holds. With guitarists like Will Putney showcasing nimble phalanges in the opening section, the U.S. group lean into their death metal roots. As breakdowns appear with a slower melodic pace, that deathcore style returns. In a stunning display of virtuosic musicianship, Fit For An Autopsy have once again demonstrated what their next best in class album will sound like.
Deadspace - 'Culminating Chaos'
Not entirely deathcore, but it'd be remiss of me to not include the new release from Perthies Deadspace with some blackened metal over the past couple of weeks. The West Australians showcase a gnarly vocal energy across a darkened tuning of guitars on new single 'Culminating Chaos'.
As the track progresses you'll hear more of a nod from their Norwegian godfathers (and if you've been to a show you'll see the face paint to match). With an ominous interlude and industrial echoes, Deadpsace embody an atmosphere of discomfort, perfectly complementing their blackened tunes.
Whitechapel - 'A Visceral Retch'
So you thought I was going to finish this without touching the big kahuna? After a few experimental album cycles venturing into a modern nu-deathcore flavour with melodic metalcore elements, Whitechapel have come back, and let me tell you - they are so back. With a This is Exile stylised cover art, you know it's going to be rooted with evil.
Vocalist Phil Bozeman digs out some of his deepest lows and glass-breaking highs for this one with a decent dial-up instrumentally. 'Visceral Retch' is packed with vocal gurgles and My Space era deathcore with TikTok era production quality. Do not sleep on the next chapter of Whitechapel, it's going to be notable.
Anything worthy of a mention that I missed? Hit me on socials.
Words by Ricky Aarons (@rickysaul90)
