Cell - The Unbearable Form (EP Review)

Cell - The Unbearable FormReleased: February 9th, 2024

Line Up:

Skyler Conder // VocalsMatt Klein // Guitars/VocalsTyk Kill // Guitars/VocalsErnie Calderon // BassJoe Pelletier // Drums

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Though not traditionally revered for it’s heavy music scene, the US state of Oklahoma has produced some truly gnarly, filthy underground bands over the last few years. One of The Sooner State’s most violent exports is metallic hardcore demolition men Cell, who are kicking off their 2024 with a sophomore EP in The Unbearable Form. The group’s sound is a mixing pot of all the angriest elements of the current metal scene; generous helpings of deathcore, slam, hardcore and 00s-throwback metalcore are thrown together to create a more pissed off entity than a kicked hornets nest.

There’s no goofy samples, over-the-top instrumentation or ironic song-titles to be found on The Unbearable Form - Cell create gimmick-free violent music. Opener and first single ‘The Heavens Hear Nothing’ is a perfect mood-setter, with steamrolling riffs and throat-ripping vocals fighting on top of an instantly mosh-able groove. ‘Beneath The Surface’ and ‘Certain Death’ keep the furious momentum going, with the latter's ending beatdown a surefire pit-ignitor. Frontman Skyler Conder’s pained delivery is the perfect match for his equally grim lyrics, while Joe Pelletier - who also sits behind the kit for PeelingFlesh - keeps the heads bobbing with tasteful playing and a nice, snappy-sounding snare.

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PHOTO BY OWEN LEHMAN.[/caption]

Cell’s debut EP - 2021’s Sadistic Sounds of Suffering - was a brutal bludgeoning, and while this new six-track effort contains all that aggression - no songs last over two and half minutes - The Unbearable Form sees the group branch out with a bleaker atmosphere running throughout. With haunting guitar melodies, screaming feedback and an ample amount of reverb, this focus on dynamics is none more evident than the two closers. The 45 second long creeping 'A Light (Shine For My Existence)' moves into the release’s suffocating title tune, with The Unbearable Form - both the song and EP - an ending with a heavier reprise of the previous cut's ominous motif.

The Unbearable Form is a six-track, 10-minute blast of adrenaline from Cell. Much like most of their contemporaries, the short run time works in the band’s favour, with the number’s hitting their maximum impact with none of the trimmings. The chugging guitars and vocal attack can be monolithic in parts, but there is an enough mood and atmosphere thrown into the EP to keep things from becoming too one-flavoured. Cell aren’t reinventing the wheel here by any means, but the sheer vitriolic anger housed in The Unbearable Form means it’s a must-stream for any pundits of pissed-off music.

Cell - The Unbearable Form tracklisting

1. The Heavens Hear Nothing
2. Beneath The Surface
3. Certain Death
4. Bleed All I’ve Known
5. A Light (Shine For My Existence)
6. The Unbearable Form

Rating: 7.5/10The Unbearable Form is out February 9th on Unbeaten Records. Order hereReview By – Andrew Kapper. Twitter: @andrew_kapper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfDoUo4vknY