ALBUM REVIEW: Epilogue – To The Grave

When it looked as though Aussie brutes TO THE GRAVE‘s musical legacy would end with 2016 EP No Lives Matter – it didn’t seem like a great loss. Their potential had yet to manifest itself into anything greater than just that, and deathcore’s resurgence was yet to hit full swing. It’s something of a twist of fate then that new record Epilogue pitches them as one of the most intense, enthralling bands the genre can  showcase at present.

Now signed to the ever trustworthy Unique Leader Records, Epilogue is a reworking of the band’s comeback effort of two years ago Global Warning – armed with seven new tracks to take shelter from. The new sheen added to songs like the heat seeking missiles that are Hell Hole and Gristle Blower make them an undeniably superior proposition this time around. But even with that said, to focus overtly on the touch ups this record displays would be reductive. It’s the new additions TO THE GRAVE have included in their arsenal that steal the show.

The tragic death of bassist Joshua Booth dominates the aura of Miserable Summer – the last track he ever performed with the band. But even with its heart breaking connotations – its guttural thud hits like a hammer. Kill Shelter masquerades under the false pretence that it may be Epilogue‘s brief moment of respite. The understated techno bounce that it opens with soon gets swallowed whole by vocalist Dane Evans‘ heinous splurge of growls though.

There’s a sophistication to the duo of Death By A Thousand Cuts and Recoil In Horror. The HUMANITY‘S LAST BREATH influence stands off a mile with their apocalyptic thud, but the band’s cunning usage of blast beats, pig squeals, and mosh calls take an equally heavy nod to LORNA SHORE or AVERSIONS CROWN. Epilogue is less ‘deathcore by numbers’, and more: threatening your life with every soundscape available to it.

Central to Epilogue‘s consistently skull crushing bravado is drummer Simon O’Malley. His play off with guitarist Jack Simoni is monolithically fierce, and the stick man will capitalise on every space left for him by Simoni‘s extended notes to slam through the mix with deafening force. Terrorist Threat‘s relentless shotgun sound pushes the track to a length of extremity that sits you teetering dangerously over the edge of your comfort level.

Concluding with a cover of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE‘s classic The Ghost Of You is a bold, fitting step. Booth had name dropped the band as an original influence of his – and TO THE GRAVE weave their scarring sound around the track’s romantic theorems to make this a more than credible effort. And more than that – a touching nod to a friend.

At 19 tracks Epilogue is a test of endurance. Though often jaw dropping, its runtime means only the most obsequious of extreme metal fans will make it through in one sitting. Regardless, it’s a record that will almost certainly be a game changer for TO THE GRAVE. If you thought BRAND OF SACRIFICE‘s Lifeblood was nailed on to be the best album deathcore had to offer this year: wait till you hear this one.

Rating: 8/10

Epilogue is set for release on April 16th via Unique Leader Records. 

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