Album/EP

ten56. - Downer Deluxe (Album Review)

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

Apr 20, 2023

7 min read

ten56. - Downer Deluxe
Released: April 21st, 2023

Lineup:

Aaron Matts // vocals
Quentin Godet // guitar
Luka Garotin // guitar
Steeves Hostin // bass
Arnaud Verrier // drums

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ten56. have done it. With an exceptional release strategy, the Frenchmen have bound into the nu-deathcore arena with debut and sophomore EPs Downer Pt. 1 and Downer Pt. 2, ultimately all culminating to their debut album Downer (with both EP tracks), and treated as a Deluxe - and today is release day.

We couldn't be prouder of ex-Betraying The Martyrs vocalist Aaron Matts for what is really best described as reinventing himself. With some powerful music, gnarly videos and a sweep of international touring, ten56. have well and truly made it onto the map.

From the moment, the Parisian outfit laid debut track 'Diazepam' on us, I knew they were onto something. The shock factor hits you like a tonne of bricks, where 'explosive' is a constant - and in earnest, it still blasts as hard as it did two years ago. The five-piece proceeded to destroy our minds with 'Boy' and 'Sick Dog' before dropping the first of two releases on us. The full EP was consistently heavy, with a few tracks really leaning into Matts' nu-metal vocal switch-up (when he's not demonically unloading his soul). Before moving on, it's worth a reminder of how ballistic the song 'Kimo' is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXUjBRRLhK4&pp=ygUKdGVuNTYga2ltbw%3D%3D

Not too much longer down the line, ten56., reappeared after showing Europe what they're capable of live. they started drip-feeding singles 'Yenta' and 'Traumadoll /RLS' which packed a punch so brutal that listeners needed fanning and a handkerchief to wipe the sweat. The latter single mentioned is probably the most interesting to dissect. A partial 'RLS' preview came on the latter end of the 'Traumadoll' video revealed the band pivoting to an emo-rap style, reminiscent of Juice WRLD, which fans really enjoyed; "we're not a one-trick pony," as they say. As the second EP dropped in full, we were treated to eye-wateringly heavy singles 'Saiko' and 'Ender' - serving as a sweetener to a delectable EP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgWYY2iBcTw&pp=ygUUdGVuNTYgdHJhdW1hZG9sbCBybHM%3D

As ten56. prepared to package this together whilst getting invited to play some of their biggest shows at some of Europe's (and the world's) biggest heavy music festivals, they recently let loose a cheeky little single called 'Choky' - which feels like a 'one for the road' little treat, or the tie-it-up-in-a-bow track for this Deluxe release. With guitars squealing and drums pounding, ten56. are aptly announce "we will never go away". Like many of the others, the fresh track encapsulates the creative ways the five-piece utilise prompt silences and juxtaposing noise and chaos to exaggerate their heavy abilities - and we're here for it.

So there we have it, today you can hear Downer Deluxe in full - a brilliant invention for your gym workout, that's for sure. Chuck in a special 'Traumadoll (Withdrawal Edition)' remix and you've got yourself a cute little package of hell and fury. If you're like me, you're already counting down the days and seconds to their next release, and probably a visit to your hometown. Personally, I'm keen to hear ten56. level-up sonically and experiment with different tunings and sonic pairings to really unlock that potential of insanity.