‘Consumed’ is the much anticipated follow up to 2016’s ‘Seven Eyes’ – it’s always interesting to hear how bands develop & this is a big curve upwards from a debut that was excellent & an active part of a thriving Norwich/Norfolk metal scene.
Opener ‘Liferipper’ begins the relentless assault of metal with hardcore & some more melodic hints of metalcore this time around before title track ‘Consumed’ heads back into the heavier territory.
‘This Haunting Stone’ has an opening melody to remember & some underlying keyboard sounds from Donovan that add some hugely accessible depth. Stand out song? Maybe. Certainly one I’d recommend getting around as many sets of ears as possible – a great direction.
‘Tabula Rasa’ continues the melody before exploding into more djent territory with Lee’s guttural scream adding to the wall of power & has some of the beat downs that should create pits to behold in a live environment.
‘Blackwater’ adds to the standout qualities with more superb guitar melodies & drift from the heavier into more leap into the pit sections before an unexpected & glorious acoustic section that leads back into the pit. Another real standout song.
Even the KSE influences on ‘Hex’ sit beautifully on here with some quality shredding too.
Album closer ‘Catonsville’ sees the incredible voice of Katie Gooda joining Lee in what sounds, at times, like a glorious heavier Anathema. Totally unexpected!
The excellent production stands out with everything audible in all the best ways – vocalist Lee Margaillan’s visceral tones standing out along with the dual guitars of Donovan Jones & Flynn Green adding both melody & intensity in all the right places. Possibly the key addition to the quality of sound, though is both the bass of Karl Morse & the powerhouse drums of Luke Fowler.
10 songs of utter quality here. They say all good things come to those who wait. Be in Norwich for the album launch on the 19th of this month & savour what will unquestionably be the launch of one of 2018’s stand out releases.
10/10 - Review by Phil B
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