ALBUM REVIEW: Antiquity – Wythersake
Following a well-received string of singles, WYTHERSAKE have finally released their debut album Antiquity. Hailing from Washington DC, they aim to blend the savagery of American death metal with the melodic sensibilities of the Swedish masters of the nineties, elevated with lashings of classical influence and an epic approach to song writing. It seems like something of a tall order, something that would need an enormous amount of work in order to execute effectively. So, are these relative newcomers up to the challenge?
Antiquity begins with Prediluvian, a short introduction comprised of sonorous chants intertwined with large, HYPOCRISY style riffs before crashing headlong into title track Antiquity. This track is a melting pot of influences and ideas, showcasing bludgeoning rhythm work, creeping esoteric atmosphere and galloping thrash segments all peppered with the odd screaming guitar solo. As a mission statement, this is an introduction to WYTHERSAKE’s frantic style. They are spilling over with ideas and are desperate to show them off, keeping the listener guessing until the last seconds.
Third track The Advent is an early highlight, combining chunks of white-hot blastbeats with a thunderous mid-paced double bass roll. Remaining highly technical, this track feels more considered and deliberate, allowing ideas and riffs to be explored to their fullest extent. This is a theme explored into the next track From A Serpent Spoken, which steps up the speed and intensity, but also heavily features the piano lines which gradually increase in frequency up to this point in the album. This is something of a double-edged sword, as while this may be an exciting feature for those who appreciate the more symphonic end of the blackened spectrum, if the listener is not fully on board with these themes it can at times feel like a confusing distraction from the crushing backdrop it is there to highlight.
The midsection of Antiquity features some moments of absolute quality. From the pummelling, relentlessly melodic and annoyingly memorable strains of Iniquity to the grinding, morose punishment of Feast Upon The Seraph Within (which will almost definitely cause raised eyebrows amongst those who appreciated the last RUINS OF BEVERAST album), there are almost too many to highlight. Through Ritual We Manifest though, is deserving of special mention. It is a monolithic ode, featuring utterly hammering speed, riffs thicker than fresh cement and epic choral backing that would not sound out of place backing the final stage of your particular most hated Dark Souls boss. It is an utter leviathan of a track and shows WYTHERSAKE working at their maniacal best.
The album is rounded out by Unto Light and My Profane Goddess. The former is unfortunately relatively unremarkable, when taken alone it is a perfectly passable slab of symphonic blackened death metal, but in the context of the album as a whole feels like it doesn’t bring anything new to the table other than a peaceful, AGALLOCH style clean outro. Beyond that, a rare miss, but luckily the only one present across the hour spent with Antiquity. The final track however, provides a staunch and concise reminder of some of the album’s finest qualities. It is riff-heavy and draped in shudder-inducing rhythm, It has a deep classical influence and regularly dips its toe into gothic stylings. It is a satisfying closer and leaves the listener ripe with anticipation for what may come from WYTHERSAKE in the future.
Given the sheer ambition of the task, WYTHERSAKE have more than delivered. While Antiquity is a lengthy listen and could perhaps do with a minor prune just for the sake of runtime, it cannot be denied that the material is not only epic but supremely enjoyable. Antiquity is a cornucopia of styles, riffs and ideas, giving enormous variety and also the knowledge that if your tastes are not accommodated by the current arrangement then something will be along momentarily that will capture your attention in a big way. WYTHERSAKE have definitely cast their net wide with this release, but fortunately they have enough ideas and talent to execute the manoeuvre.
Rating: 8/10
Antiquity is out now via Scarlet Records.
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