ALBUM REVIEW: Necrophony – Exmortus
EXMORTUS have gone through a transition of sorts in recent years with frontman Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez being the last man standing of their original line-up. It’s been five years since the release of 2018’s The Sound Of Steel so fans will be more than ready to sink their teeth into the long awaited follow-up Necrophony, which is out now via Nuclear Blast Records. What do the Californian thrashers have in store for us this time?
Masquerade isn’t quite the immediate powderkeg to the face you may expect, opting for a more ominous, brooding build-up that neatly sets up Mask Of Red Death. Now the party has officially started, an abundance of swift shredding and galloping drum work lead the charge. Nimble bass lines also follow suit in constructing this demonic symphony. Frenzied sweeping adds the exclamation point. Oathbreaker brings some addictive hooks to the table. If you needed a surefire means of transforming a crowd into a sea of limbs then this is your one way ticket to chaos. Additional mind-boggling lead sequences will have you scooping your jaw off the floor.
Mind Of Metal delves deeper into the power metal realms with a theatrical, energetic prose. The vibrancy exhibited throughout the sea of riffing and the brutish nature of the vocal work form an intriguing combination. Storm Of Strings zips off over the horizon like someone attached a jetpack to a horse. It’s a real statement piece showcasing the insane amount of skill possessed within this group. The bright glimmers of melody and alluring grooves that appear sporadically during Test Of Time are an unexpected but welcome treat, assisting in amplifying the effectiveness of the blistering fret aerobics that follow. Rapid fire footwork proves to be a standout element of Darkest Of Knights, stealing the limelight away from the incredible riff displays for a spell. The lengthy eight-minute runtime offers plenty of opportunity for everyone to flex their muscles.
Prophecy teeters the tightrope of falling into Crazy Train worship in the early going but just about manages to revise its course. Children Of The Night reprises the chilling soundscape and prominent bass lines before diving back into the speed-infused adrenaline rush. Beyond The Grave is another track which is destined for the stage with its fiery intensity and hefty hooks. Overture plates up an enticing little interlude to whet your appetite for the title track, which doesn’t take long to hit full velocity once more. Just in case you weren’t already impressed by the plethora of face melting solo bursts which have come before, EXMORTUS are happy to oblige with another generous helping. It’s been an extensive journey to get to this stage but the cover of IRON MAIDEN‘s Moonchild is a fitting climax to bring this release to a close. It’s a shame that the falsetto style vocals are not utilised at any other stage.
It is clearly evident that EXMORTUS are phenomenal musicians and can compose some really exhilarating offerings, but almost an hour of lead work driven thrash metal is incredibly ambitious even for the most robust of attention spans. Necrophony is packed full of moments of brilliance but it takes serious focus for your concentration not to wander. Despite this challenge, there is plenty to appreciate for those who are drawn to the fast and flamboyant.
Rating: 8/10
Necrophony is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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