On their debut for the indomitable Relapse Records entitled ‘The Way Of All Flesh Is Decay’, End Reign concoct a heady brew of frost-bitten Metallic Hardcore that is equal parts Tombs infused Black Metal bludgeon, Integrity induced Hardcore delirium, dual guitar oriented histrionics and Ringworm oriented Thrash Metal.
With Domenic Romeo of Integrity fame at the helm and featuring members of Pig Destroyer, Bloodlet and All Out War in their ranks, End Reign unleash the type of turbulent, tumultuous and tasty Metallic Hardcore that is testament to the veterans in their ranks.
Opening track “Desolate Fog” gallops ahead with a blackened riff that would make 1349 proud whilst “Chaos Masked As Order” is a skull cracking exercise in sneering Metallic Hardcore that is as deadly as an airborne contagion.
The guitar work on “The Way Of All Flesh” is awe inspiring. Witness the beautiful dual guitar theatrics that are threaded through “Giving Life To Tragedy” and pump your fists skyward in triumph.
Adam Jarvis of Pig Destroyer and Misery Index provides a solid backbone of punchy double kick fueled ferocity for the blistering riffs conjured forth by guitarists Sebastian Phillips, Domenic Romeo and bassist Arthur Legere.
Mike Score of All Out War handles vocal duties and his Donald Tardy like shrieking is the perfect fit for the apocalyptic lyrics he spews forth with such unbridled vitriol.
“The hunger” is a menacing exercise in Thrash inflected ferocity that is peppered with its share of Black Metal motifs whereas “When Death comes Crawling” is akin to a NWOBHM charger, conjuring forth the type of dual guitar harmonies peddled by Iron Maiden.
There is a definitive nod to classic Metal throughout this ten track freight train that brings to mind Iron Maiden, Raven and Judas Priest. ‘The Way Of All Flesh’ buttresses its penchant for classic NWOBHM and Thrash motifs against Blackened Metallic Hardcore with feral fluidity.
Depending on one’s preference, the pummeling that End Reign deliver can tick all the boxes with its hybrid of Hardcore and Metal yet if you have a penchant for violent Metal that is not founded upon a bedrock NWOBHM dual guitar interplay and galloping Thrash, then ‘The Way Of All Flesh Is Decay’ may not be for you. As for me I am firmly situated on the fence concerning this superbly executed album.
-ASHER LOCKETZ-