ALBUM REVIEW: The Chosen – Enterprise Earth

Earth has only just turned into 2022 and already we are seeing some of the most anticipated albums being released. One of those is the fourth full-length effort from ENTERPRISE EARTH, The Chosen. The Washington-based band have demolished everything in their path since their 2015 debut right through to 2019’s catastrophically devastating Luciferous, which is why there is no surprise as to why they are cited as being one of this generation’s most celebrated death metal bands.

Breaking into the album with frantically-paced riffs that coincide with some of the filthiest blast beats and vocals that has been heard from the band, Where Dreams Are Broken asserts that this quartet aren’t ready to hand over their heavyweight belt just yet, if at all. 

One of the more noticeable aspects on the album is the more groove-laden riffs that flow into one another on the likes of Reanimate // Disintegrate and Overpass. It gives the album, at times, a MESHUGGAH-esque vibe where carnage meets an enthusiastic bounce. The infusion is a stunning blend that adds an extra element of darkness to the album’s sound, one in which hasn’t been so prominent on prior releases from the band.

There is a lot to mention regarding the album that shows how much they each, as individual musicians and together, developed in sound and technique. Aforementioned, there’s a hypnotising groove that swamps the majority of riffs on the album that somehow, despite being seen in technical terms as more upbeat, brings crushing blows to the overall sound. Fixing those riffs alongside some of the best drum-work heard from Brandon Zackey and the demolishing vocals of Dane Watson, who explores his range in much more depth, has ultimately created a sound that echoes such a level of anguish that the past couple of years has brought us. 

One of the most monumental moments on the album, one that really displays just how much the band have sat and honed their craft over the past couple of years, is when you hear each member of the band stand out and shine with their technical abilities. You Couldn’t Save Me is as monstrous as it comes, the breakdown is the only way of listening to what you would imagine Hell to sound of, yet what stands out is the guitar solo of Gabe Mangold. Mangold is, as previously proven, one of the more appreciated guitarists within modern death metal and hearing just how brutal this one track in particular is and then hearing how gracefully he has pieced together a solo that transports you is of an exceptional talent.

Again, even as the album progresses from such terror into Unhallowed Path, being able to switch from one extreme to another, is at this stage, a cut above the rest. Watson’s vocals intertwine politely with the faintly distorted guitar tones and the acoustic progressions that Mangold puts out are far from sounding ill-placed or messy. It adds a certain mood to the album that highlights that despite being so devastating, they are each comfortable with their own sound to be able to create something that hits differently with no fear of losing their originality and their overall sound. 

The Chosen may not be an album that continues on from where ENTERPRISE EARTH’s previous works leave off, the Washington-quartet have rather significantly developed their sound and style that has made them take one more step towards asserting their rightful place amongst death metal royalty. The genre has always been about breaking the norm, creating something that will pummel everything in its path, and The Chosen has done that, just with more grooves than before. Without risk, there is no reward, and this year will thank ENTERPRISE EARTH for holding their breath and diving into the deep end. This is, despite its softer tones in some areas, the band’s heaviest album to date on both a physically grabbing album, but also emotionally battering. If this is what a couple of years of a pandemic can do with a band who have maximized on their time locked down, the future looks brighter than ever for this quartet.

Rating: 8/10

The Chosen is out now via MNRK Heavy. 

Like ENTERPRISE EARTH on Facebook.