One of the perks of long-term metal journalism relates to the chronological progression of material many acts make over the years – and watching that journey unfold. That’s the case here for Belgian melodic death metal/metalcore unit Reject The Sickness. The last album While Our World Dissolves from 2021 delivered a vicious blend of European / North American influences in an enticing manner – which made the anticipation for the next set of material set high. Choosing to go the DIY route, Signs Of The End continues the aggressive, battering approach that injects modest melodic hooks when necessary without sacrificing heaviness or intensity through these eight tracks.
Occasional resplendent guitar lines appear next to relentless double kick at breakneck paces – the contrasts develop into wonderful payoffs, as evidenced in the final instrumental measures of “We Enslave Angels” that bring out the best of In Flames and Soilwork next to maybe Amorphis. The riff rhythm charge of Ruben Van der Beken beyond Zoran van Bellegem’s supreme lead abilities span the gamut across multiple extreme subgenres. Blackened tremolo ferocity next to jackhammer down picking puts “Fall From Grace” top of mind, while “Acta Non Verba” showcases more of their mid-tempo metalcore / death groove techniques next to some semi-blasting spots from drummer Jannick Govaert. The arrangements, foundational songwriting aspects, and subtle transitional surprises provide extra dynamic anticipation – almost as if you can squeeze out new elements to many tracks through intense, deeper dives. Vocalist Guy Vercruysse takes his experiences at his social work day job and channels them into his lyrics – exploring neglect, trauma, and the conflicting emotions of the human psyche that navigates a cold, hardened world in this emotive duality between potent growls to passionate screams that push him into the class of Asphyx, Death, and Lamb of God.
Semi-djent chugging in a melodic death metal context makes “When I Become You” another crushing effort. The back-and-forth chess match between the vocals and music beyond the slower chorus could be a pit swirling favorite for the listeners. While most of the songs remain focused on the heavier style at hand, the closing title cut serves up interesting atmospheric left-field twists across it’s almost seven-minute timeframe. Between the keyboard-fueled opening and a progressive instrumental section that seems like Iron Maiden during their 80s heydays if pushed into an extreme-oriented context, it’s a thought-provoking conclusion that satisfies.
Self-produced with mixing/mastering help from Christian Svedin (Ablaze My Sorrow) and Thomas ‘Plec’ Johansson (Mors Principium Est, Scar Symmetry, Soilwork), Reject The Sickness easily keep up with a lot of the veteran artists they take influence from through their abilities. Signs Of The End once again proves that these gentlemen push the parameters of melodic death metal, metalcore, and extreme angles into an explosive package that tears people limb from limb.