ALBUM REVIEW: Hymns In Dissonance – Whitechapel
Deathcore stalwarts WHITECHAPEL have been a particularly incendiary run of form with both 2019’s The Valley and 2021’s Kin sending their fanbase into a frenzy. Considering the hefty emotional connections to this content it was time for the band to return to their roots and, in their own words, write some “really brutal shit” again. Hymns In Dissonance is available now via Metal Blade Records, we hope you’re firmly strapped in!
Prisoner 666 sets an ominous tone almost immediately. Evil atmospherics build up the tension before you are blasted by thunderous drum beats and a whirlwind of rapid fire vocal bursts from Phil Bozeman. Additionally armed with waves of potent riff work WHITECHAPEL have come to conquer. Hymns In Dissonance is equally as devastating, blast beats surge down your ear canals accompanied by gruesome gutturals. Adrenaline fuelled instrumentation wreaks havoc, mowing down any unfortunate souls in its path. A monstrous breakdown extracts your soul and transports it straight to the underworld. Diabolic Slumber combines powerful hooks and maniacal intensity to great effect. Punishing heaviness hits with seismic force, sending shivers down your spine.
A Visceral Retch is utterly menacing, demonic growls and skin searing screams dish out plentiful savagery bolstered by skull splitting riff assaults. Ex Infernis utilises haunting chanting to evoke the sensation of a devilish procession before diving into the raw brutality of Hate Cult Ritual. Slick leadwork and a swift tempo create a chaotic soundscape as further unrelenting blast beats inflict a rhythmic pummelling. The Abysmal Gospel opts to bludgeon its victims until nothing but dust remains before turning up the heat with unstoppable momentum.
Bedlam is equally as unforgiving and quite the appropriate title. Crushing ferocity attacks from all angles as jabbing riff work unites with violent vocal expulsions. Mammoth God opens with a hypnotic, melodic tone before summoning forth another hellish barrage. Blistering drum sequences run riot as Bozeman provides another masterful display of his frightening range of techniques. Nothing Is Coming For Any of Us is arguably one of the most explosive tracks WHITECHAPEL has unleashed to date. The opening onslaught alone is enough to curdle your blood and leave you cowering in fear. As it progresses sublime lead work and harmonious melodies seamlessly slot in to the mix departing on a rather euphoric note.
WHITECHAPEL are equipped with one of the most consistent back catalogues in metal and Hymns In Dissonance ensures that their streak of releasing genre defining material proudly continues. Combining the strongest elements of the past and more recent chapters of the band has resulted in a formidable beast. It may be too early to be considering Album Of The Year candidates already but this is a solid contender for the crown.
Rating: 9/10
Hymns In Dissonance is out now via Metal Blade Records.
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