ALBUM REVIEW: Compelled To Suffer – Harbinger

Since their inception in 2015 Londoners HARBINGER have been working their way up the food chain in impressive fashion as their previous EP releases Paroxysm and Human Dust acquired them opportunities to support heavyweights such as MONUMENTS, HEART OF A COWARD and INGESTED. The time has approached for their debut full length release entitled Compelled To Suffer which is due for release on May 17th. Will this release cement them as one of the UK’s elite bands?

The Awakening hurtles in with scorching riffs and a punchy tempo. Melody and aggression stand side by side, quickly becoming a formidable combination. The varying vocal bursts slot seamlessly into the unravelling mayhem. Healer/Deceiver encompasses the same vibrancy as a web of guitar work is expertly woven. The intensity within proves to be intoxicating, like a siren drawing you to your doom. Celestial Being continues to throw disorientating body blows with its volley of pummelling drum beats alongside jabbing riffs and ominous atmospherics. The momentum is gathering at a frightening pace.

Compelled To Suffer maintains the frenzy with a bombardment of heavy hitting instrumentation. Meticulous solo work accompanies alluring lead segments to devastating effect. The Dance Of Species possesses a particularly demonic presence as the savage growls surface through the flames of hell. Bludgeoning riffs lead the charge as you are engulfed in waves of sheer evil. Descendants follows suit as terrifying yet captivating melodies join forces with frenzied shredding to bring the intensity to a white hot state which refuses to subside.

The Fear Of Sorrow is the audible equivalent of being repetitively belted with a shovel, the bleak, apocalyptic vibes which surround the track depict visions of hopelessness. Desperation Dear picks up the pace with further flurries of technical wizardry. The pitched screaming displayed by front man Tom Gardner are exhilarating to experience and appropriately compliment the ongoing chaos. Covetous Hearts also works its way through the gears as the frantic drum blasts and rapid riffing swarm your senses.

The Cleansing twists and turns through burly guitar work and venomous screams which lead into an earth shattering breakdown. Guttural bellows add an extra layer of wickedness. Death Pending adeptly jumps between energetic harmonies and death metal infused ferocity to keep you on your toes. Towards the midway point the mood takes a dark turn with bludgeoning riffing. The Red Flower calmly sneaks into view with enticing melodies. The tone abruptly reverts back to the brutality whilst still harnessing elements of tranquillity as it progresses. Entropy provides a couple of moments of contemplation to comprehend the sheer insanity which has unfolded throughout the last twelve tracks before peacefully fading to close.

Whenever conversations begin about the top tier British metal acts of the modern era the likes of ARCHITECTS and WHILE SHE SLEEPS are usually on the tip of everyone’s tongues, if HARBINGER continue to release top drawer material like the tracks which comprise Compelled To Suffer there is no reason why they will not be regarded in the same light. The skill and execution exhibited throughout is simply astonishing and it wouldn’t be remotely surprising if they barge their way into multiple Album Of The Year lists as 2019 draws to a close.

Rating: 9/10

Compelled To Suffer is out now via self-release.

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