Hailing from the UK, To Obey A Tyrant concoct a heady maelstrom of blackened Deathcore that is as grandiose as it is grisly. Their latest EP ‘Frigore Inferni’ which is due to be released on the 21st of February is a ferocious slab of smoldering blackened Deathcore that melds the pomp and theater of symphonic Black Metal with the bruising malevolence of bludgeoning Deathcore.
Featuring Brandon Singleton on vocals, Josh Rushton and Jamie Stevenson Guitars, Bruno Clay on drums and Harvey Hockey on Bass, this five member firing squad unleash Deathcore of the most dazzling and devastating sort. Their latest EP ‘Frigore Inferni’ Latin for ‘The Cold Of Hell’, is a six track exercise in immaculately executed Deathcore that balances grandiose symphonic Black Metal and gritty Deathcore with aplomb, a balance that many bands of this ilk seemingly fail to excel at.
Conceptually ‘Frigore Inferni’ follows the plight of two nefarious entities that awaken a frozen apocalypse that plunges the world into a frozen abyss. The tones, flourishes, breakdowns, orchestration, ferocious vocals and blistering riffs that sew this EP manifest this narrative with awe-inspiring fury and nuance.
Beginning with the blistering, breakdown infused bluster of opening track ‘I, Apollyon’, a track that melds megalithic rhythms, roaring vocals and nuanced orchestration into a cohesive and crushing sonic narrative, a searing precedent is set for the remainder of songs that follow; each a punishing display of the type of nuanced Blackened Deathcore To Obey A Tyrant specialise in.
‘Obsidian Sol’ is a grand display of destructive Deathcore sheathed in layers of glistening orchestration. This seething slice of symphonic might will appeal to fans of Worm Shepherd and The Breathing Process.
The rousing and rollicking piece of propulsive heft and swagger that is ‘Dawnbreaker’ is filled to the brim with neck-snapping riffs, tightly wound rhythms and refined symphonic layering. This intelligently composed track, with its beefy breakdowns and guttural vocals is a dynamically composed piece of music that is powerful and praiseworthy.
Title track ‘Frigore Inferni’ is a majestic and megalithic track that manoeuvres its way through a labyrinth built from rousing blackened riffing, rousing orchestration, melodious leads and tempo shifts that are coated in a glowing sheen.
‘Prince Ov Death’ is akin to Drown In Sulphur on steroids, its bone crunching rhythms, scouring vocals and dark atmospherics will leave you reeling in a state of abysmal euphoria.
Bringing the EP to a close, the corrosive ‘Winter’s Rite’ is a fist pumping piece of Blackened Deathcore where symphonic layering, screeching vocals and scorching riff driven decimation give way to a roaring slice of ice caked, melodious Scandinavian infused Metal magic.
‘Frigore Inferni’ is an impressive EP by a young Blackened Deathcore troupe who have seemingly mastered their chosen genre. Get ready to experience a head on collision of grandiosity and grit delivered in the most delicate yet devastating manner.
-Asher Locketz-