ALBUM REVIEW: Tsukuyomi: The Origin – Distant
The destructive force known as DISTANT have been tearing their way through the ranks of the deathcore division with a string of stunning releases during their decade-spanning career. To commemorate this prestigious accolade they are returning to where it all began, their debut EP Tsukuyomi. Rather than a quick and easy re-release they have opted for a reconstructed offering including revamped tracks alongside a host of new slabs of carnage for you to sink your teeth into. Tsukuyomi: The Origin is out now via Century Media Records. Will this release breathe new life into old favourites?
The Pale Moonlight is as haunting as it is devastating. Initially starting with unnerving synths and thumping bass beats before swiftly segueing to jarring aggression. Fleshweaver is like a sledgehammer to the jaw. Grisly vocal bursts, crushing instrumentation with frenzied leadwork towards the closing stages will leave your head in a spin. Feast Of Misery introduces a blackened tinge to the ferocious assault. Drummer René Gerbrandij seems determined to smash holes through his kit with the sheer velocity he inflicts upon his apparatus.
Torturous Symphony somehow manages to amplify the insanity to another level. Barbaric intensity is unleashed from every conceivable angle with some additional vocal assistance from the masterful Matt Heafy. DISTANT are known for their relentless brutality but this track leaves a seismic wave of destruction in its wake. Cradled In Shards Of Glass sustains the anarchy with crazed riff sequences and pummelling drum attacks. Loveless Suffering welcomes you to beatdown central. Your brain won’t know whether to headbang or to spontaneously combust.
The Undying is equally as impressive, switching tempo at a moment’s notice for maximum impact. The “when the riff comes back, but slower” approach works wonders. The Apex may be brief but feels like the opening of the gateway to hellfire. Monstrous vocal bellows and bludgeoning riffing leave their emphatic mark. Acolytes of Damnation picks up the pace as you are engulfed in a surge of brutality. Another guest appearance, this time in the form of Alex Erian adds another layer of abrasion to the chaos.
Tsukuyomi will shatter your spine and curdle your blood in horrifying tandem. Travis Worland leaves his emphatic vocal stamp on this crushing instalment. Malice continues to crush the remaining air out of your lungs with vicious volleys of remorseless force. One final guest vocal appearance remains and anyone that knows the name of David Simonich is aware of the scary skills this man possesses. If you’re looking for reprieve Broken Cross will offer you no such mercy. Explosive guttural eruptions ensure this release departs knowing it has left you but a shell of your former self.
DISTANT have somehow managed to find the balance between quantity AND quality with their high frequency of output continuing to be impressively consistent. Tsukuyomi: The Origin neatly ties together the past and the present, possessing enough combustible elements to level a small continent with its incredible array of guest vocalists bringing their signature swagger to proceedings. The deathcore powerhouse continue to showcase why they are deservedly amongst the top of the pack.
Rating: 9/10
Tsukuyomi: The Origin is out now via Century Media Records.
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