ALBUM REVIEW: Everything Bleeds – Crown Magnetar
Deathcore is in an interesting spot right now. Once a musical direction that exploded in popularity in the mainstream metal scene via the likes of SUICIDE SILENCE and WHITECHAPEL, it soon became a much-loathed corner of the metal world. It was blasted as ‘stale’ and ‘generic’, and for a while it truly was uninspired until we saw a rebirth through bands such as LORNA SHORE, SHADOW OF INTENT and BRAND OF SACRIFICE. A new age of deathcore was upon us; however, there is once again a plateau where every latest band or album feels like a carbon copy of the one that came before it with the overuse of symphonic and electronic elements. For those suffering from burnout of this style, never fear, CROWN MAGNETAR are here.
Everything Bleeds is straight-up, breakneck deathcore with a flurry of technical flair that’ll make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It’s a continuation of the disgustingly heavy Alone In Death EP but it’s also a step up. To open we’re greeted with the delightfully named Nail Funeral. But rather than a forlorn story of a broken nail, it’s a relentless assault on the senses that sets the pace and tone for the rest of the album: frantic and devastating. Through the barrage of noise, vocalist Dan Tucker reminds us that “everyone dies alone” repeatedly, just to drive the point home (cheers Dan). It’s a vicious opening statement that’s followed by the unrelenting Hex Ov Hate.
Speaking of hate, this album is pissed. It’s clenched fist, ready to strike like a Cobra, angry. Tucker‘s vocals are ferocious throughout with his deathly snarl encapsulating the hate within. He even throws out a “motherfucker!” for good measure, which has been missing from deathcore as of late. We love a good mosh call.
There are only a few moments of respite on the album and one comes from the intro to The Level Beneath – a track that showcases the strength of the musicianship on display here. The drumming from Byron London is one of the highlights for sure, with his M-16 calves working overtime to deliver blasts that can only be described as impossibly fast. But not only does he have the pace but he also has the tightness to back it up.
For the deathcore purists, they are plenty of beatdowns for you to cause havoc in the pit. Take the ending to Unholy Neck Stab, which will open the floor up and swallow you whole. The same goes for what we can only assume is a mass pig slaughter at the end of The Killing Stone. The band saves one of the best for last with Prismatic Tomb. While it still holds tons of aggression, it also features some moments of respite and even clean(er) vocals *gasp*. But before you grab your pitchforks they are done tastefully and hidden within Tucker‘s regular growls. It’s an interesting variation and one that’ll hopefully be heard more in future releases.
Everything Bleeds will crush you. And not in a bad way like a jaunt to the Titanic, more like being in between Rhea Ripley’s thighs. Having said that, there’s nothing new on show here. While it’s deathcore done superbly well, it’s nothing we haven’t heard before. It’s a difficult genre to break out in considering how similar certain bands sound but this is by far the right way to do deathcore. It also won’t be an album for everyone due to its unrelenting nature, but if CROWN MAGNETAR keep up this steady incline then they will soon break into the big leagues.
Rating: 8/10
Everything Bleeds is set for release on July 14th via Unique Leader Records.
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