Deathcore has reared its head again and boy, is this one vicious and aggressive head to raise.
Tennessee’s own Whitechapel are ready to batter and bludgeon with this, their eighth full length effort, ‘Kin’. Whitechapel are somewhat uber giants in the metal core world and this release will have surely got hearts racing and fans salivating across the globe.
‘I Will Find You’ is a tale of two halves. It opens with a stripped back guitar intro before Bozeman expels brutality and hostility in polished guttural roars, closely followed by a barrage of drums and bass lines from Rudinger and Crisp respectively. The track intertwines itself around belligerence and delicacy in equal measures, the rawness is ruthless yet the delicate beauty that is opened up is exposed to reveal the softer side of the band.
‘Lost Boy’ is all out warfare from the start. Verging on a heavy death metal stance, Bozeman once again carves open the track with passion and dedication to his cause. The six strings are worthy of note on this track, and it is obvious that there is a triple threat from the three fretboards, generating almost hypnotic riffs and picking at the strings. Again, there is a sense of delicacy and fragility to the track in parts before they slingshot back into the measured violence which has almost become their trademark style.
‘A Bloodsoaked Symphony’ once again starts with a slow and deliberate melody before the collective assault your senses. This track is more chugging than previously showcased on the album and although it does pick up momentum it maintains a definite solid backbone, deep and blasting from every angle. The chords are heavy and palpable, backed up by the cavernous and primal thumping of the skins.
We witness an intro on ‘Anticure’ which is like previous unassuming intros, stripped back and almost jamming in its essence, and as much as previous tracks have then launched an attack from the platform they have constructed with the opening section, ‘Anticure’ is different. Sure, there is the crushing and battering that we expect, but the track doesn’t lift off into the bludgeoning atmosphere, instead the track is grounded and chooses to play within the more guitar laden playground and deliver a more refined and gentler angle to the score.
Midway through the album and Whitechapel are back to being Whitechapel. An enchanting and captivating intro kicks off ‘The Ones That Made Us’ before it leads into a complex and mature track. There is a background of guitar leads and high guitar segments with the commanding vocals of Bozeman sitting atop of these, like that stature of a mountaineer standing proudly at the summit of the latest mountain range they have just conquered. The track isn’t as bass or drum heavy as other tracks on the album, and this adds to a little respite and variety which is needed in and amongst the crushing power of the other tracks.
‘History Is Silent’ has a beautiful twin approach to open the preceding’s, a coupling of elegant soft vocals and intricate, complex guitar work. This continues until a barbaric segment comes in for a short burst of raw aggression before returning to the soft and rounded elegance of the vocals and guitar working perfectly in unison. Throughout the whole track there is a constant battle between the delicate work and the harsh onslaught, making for an interesting duel which doesn’t let up until the track closes in an all too early finish.
‘To The Wolves’ is an all-out riot. There is no let up in motivation and momentum from start to finish. This is one for the bruisers, absolutely devastating in its make-up and persona, guitar work being technical yet ferocious and the drums and bass absolutely obliterating everything and everyone in their path. The track softens just at the end and allows for a breath of air before we are catapulted into the next track. This is one to watch out for in the live arena, it will pick you up and absolutely annihilate anyone who is brave enough to set up camp in the mosh pit. You have been warned.
As we are nearing the end of the album, a colossal effort of eleven tracks in total, it feels like the band are attempting to flaunt as many styles in their repertoire as possible. ‘Orphan’ adopts a harder, rockier approach to the track, with clean vocals sitting beside rock guitar chords and a melody worthy of nodding the head along to. The edge of the track resembles something out of a Stone Sour camp, ‘Zzyzx Road’ or ‘Bother’ maybe? I may not be everyone’s new best mate for saying that, but I say it as a massive compliment. The vocals have a raw harsher edge, and the guitar is mesmerising in its presence, a true stadium anthem of the future and one which will get many voices barking back at the stage.
‘Without You’ opens with a classic guitar doodle and maintains this throughout the whole of this instrumental acoustic track. It is a small slice of fragility and acoustic in stature, totally sublime, a true diamond in the rough in every sense on the word
Penultimate track, ‘Without Us’, is a different beast altogether. The vocals make another appearance and are atmospheric and moody throughout. This atmosphere leads effortlessly into the powerful and captivating barbaric roars and bellows from the depths of Bozeman’s lungs before switching into more rock esque vocals which are partnered with more standalone guitar work. The track switches and changes throughout, keeping you on your toes, not knowing what to expect next. This variety and charisma is endearing and makes this a standout track from many of its album siblings.
Onto album closer and title track, ‘Kin’. This is a lesson in grand and comprehensive track building. The vocals are mature and accomplished, leaning towards the massive rock style we have been carved open to before, although this time, there is more soul and passion behind each word sung out to us with true dedication and devotion. This is massive, a true legend in the making, the track has everything and more. the standout facets must be the guitars and the explicit talent which has been manufactured in order to be able to deliver strings of such high grade. The vocals are worthy of yet another mention, they are exhilarating and emotional, demanding that every ounce of your attention is directed at the speakers, this is a masterclass in power, precision, and fidelity.
If you aren’t usually sitting in the death/metal core camp, put your boots on and bring your tent, you are going to need it. If you are already a fan of the genre then sit back, turn it up to eleven and enjoy!! This is one not to be missed. A true Beauty and the Beast.
Album of the year? Maybe, just maybe!!
(9/10 Phil Pountney)
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