Massachusetts Death Metal act Exsanguination presents Spectral Hymns, the band’s first long-player.
Not much is known about Exsanguination – at least not much yet in the usual places. The band’s first EP came out last year, and there have been several singles as well. The new one is the first full-length album to hit the streets. The music is Death Metal, and it lies on the groove and riffy side of the street. There are many clever twists and quirks that make Exsanguination’s style easily recognizable.
The Spectral Hymns album includes four new tracks and gathers six previously issued ones as well. The new tracks are “Martyred,” “Mortal Wounds,” “Revenant,” and “Blasphemous.” It is convenient to have the singles and music from the earlier EP collected here, and naturally it is the new music that is the big sell.
“Martyred” has a nearly two minute instrumental lead in that bangs well and good before the vocal growls show themselves. It is the perfect way to kick off the set, highlighting the musical style and song-writing approach. Vocals are a smaller part of the compositions for Exsanguination than they are for many bands that might otherwise seem similar. “Mortal Wounds” is instrumental in its entirety, and “Revenant” has another long lead-in, as does “Blasphemous.”
If you have been following the band in its new career you might have already heard the compiled tracks, but if not here is another chance. Stand-outs are “Lords Without Thrones,” “Tombs of the Blind Dead,” and “Blood Ocean.” The more I listen the deeper this music sinks in. The slowdowns and accelerations are planned to turn your attention rather than shock you, and the doom-heavy moments are perfectly compatible with the up-tempo segments for this reason. Everything comes together like perfectly fit stones of an ancient wall built by a lost civilization. This is a great album. Highly recommended.
Spectral Hymns is out on Friday, June 11th. CDs and digital are available at the links below.
Links.
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