Coming off of two albums that saw the band evolve in more melodic senses, Kin and The Valley, Hymns of Dissonance is a jump back into pure adrenaline. But thankfully, one can’t simply use the term ‘return to form’ or ‘throwback’ with the release. Four years removed from Kin, this isn’t a ‘return to our old school ways’ type of album either, as it appears to have captured the band’s continued growth on the heavier end of the spectrum, and has taken it a few steps farther. In short, it’s pummeling but it’s never easily forgettable.
Released cuts “A Visceral Retch” and the title track showcase the brutal blend of extremity pretty well. There’s certainly nods to the band’s deathcore upraising and early work, but also incorporating more straight up death metal into the mix. From raging blastbeats to rumbling breakdowns to sinister melodic leads, there’s a good range of tempos and tactics to keep one’s interest. “A Visceral Retch” showcases some extra emphasis on groove along the way, and some admittedly brutal vocals. Those two tracks show quite a bit of the album’s range, but if there’s one track that stands out among the pack, it’s “Hate Cult Ritual.” It’s a visceral, blast-driven effort that charges ahead with unrelenting aggression. While there’s a nice melodic solo and repeated hook-y harsh vocal lines, it’s a real adrenaline rush.
For all of it’s primal fury, there’s some more subtle nods that help keep things exciting. “The Abysmal Gospel” succeeds in creating gritty mid-tempo stomping riffs and some blackened atmosphere when it speeds up. Toss in some slower, melody-driven moments and buzzing, almost grindcore assaults and there’s a number of different points you can drill down on. “Mammoth God” has the most melodic and brooding opening of the bunch, setting an eerie atmosphere before it unloads into blastbeats and later thunderous chugging. Final cut “Nothing is Coming for Any of Us” may have some absolutely crushing breakdowns to be found, but there’s also a really emotive melodic lead and solo that ends the album that is a striking way to exit.
Being in the camp that quite enjoyed the swerve the band did with the last two albums into more progressive territory at times, Hymns in Dissonance doesn’t feel like a step back. While that progressive side isn’t there in a literal sense, the music itself is full of visceral and subtle energy that keeps each track interesting, and the adrenaline rush the songs provide are bound to attract the attention of those seeking something abrasive. That said, what keeps the album afloat is that there’s more to it than the surface level attack, which is bound to bring fans back for repeat listens.