Often tarnished incorrectly, and being honest fucking annoyingly, as a metal core outfit Germany’s Neaera continue to unleash top quality modern death metal on the world as this their sixth album shows no signs of wavering in the creativity department. On the contrary this band gets better with each listen and shows why they have retained their position on the Metal Blade roster. Few bands can boast keeping the same members since inception as Neaera unleash a cranium crushing album on the metal dominion.
A short appropriately titled intro, “The Deafening” precedes the monstrous title track which erupts into life with a blasting crystal clear production. The bands modernised riffing style is what often makes this band get lumped into stupid categories but when you listen to Neaera, and if it’s your first time, you will kick yourself for listening to shit on the internet or reading poorly informed reviews in mainstream mags dare I say. Neaera play death metal and yes there’s the odd breakdown and occasional melodic guitar run but just because a band uses a violin does that mean they are a symphonic or folk band? I’ll leave you with that and move on.
There are no surprises here, “Ours Is The Storm” follows nicely on from “Forging The Eclipse” and uses the dual growl and scream vocal approach with the screams sounding like Maurizio from Kataklysm. That band is a good reference point for “Decolonize The Mind” which has that groove infested double bass to begin with and catchy riff to accompany it. Neaera’s music is heavily driven by the drums which are played consummately and brutally but with a high degree of dexterity to make each track as individual as possible. “Ascend To Chaos” has a really catchy hook to it before breaking into a modern death beat and the opening riff to “My Night Is Starless” is great, building nicely before an explosion of double bass and a substantial amount of melody. The melodious riff break is unexpected but welcomed before a crunching breakdown is injected. I have always made comparisons to Amon Amarth for this band and this is still my view as the riffs have that lingering flow and cohesion welded against a sheet of melody.
“Slaying The Wolf Within” is a brilliant song with multi-vocal beastliness complete with some clean vocals which fit well and add depth to the song. “Back To The Soul” has a fabulous riff, one that Amon Amarth I’m certain would love and my favourite on the release. This is what Neaera are about, prolific and pulverising death metal that hammers remorselessly until the point is devastatingly driven home. If you have never checked Neaera out then you really should put the band on your immediate investigation list as I’m totally convinced you will be caught hook, line and sinker when you do so click those links below.
(8.5/10 Martin Harris)
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