ALBUM REVIEW: Oh What The Future Holds – Fit For An Autopsy

FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY have quickly become one of the driving forces in metal in recent years, growing in confidence and stature as they progress. The Sea Of Tragic Beasts was hailed as a masterpiece of modern metal and the hotly anticipated follow-up Oh What The Future Holds, which is due for release on January 14th via Nuclear Blast Records, looks like it has its work cut out. Does it dare to shatter expectations once more?

The swelling, unsettling nature of opener Oh What The Future Holds gives you the impression that you may be in for a wild ride. Even the subtle piano notes sound ominous. Before you know it you are engulfed in a wave of intensity led by ferocious vocals and pummelling riff work. Pandora hits full throttle and charges forth with a huge surge of rhythmic destruction. Swarming melodies accompany the unravelling chaos, adding another dynamic layer to proceedings. The powerful lyrics of “too many graves, not enough shovels” ring like a gunshot. Far From Heaven throws some enticing grooves into the mix in the form of intricate riffing and pinpoint drum fills. The chorus lines are simply sublime and seep into your ears with minimal effort. The dramatic tempo keeps you gripped from start to finish, capping it off with a thunderous breakdown segment.

In Shadows is the audible equivalent of a sledgehammer – the band deliver crushing blows straight from the starting blocks and they very rarely relent. A thick black cloud covers the horizon as darkness descends. Two Towers offers up some cathartic melodies to soothe your soul after the hammering it just encountered, but don’t expect a full reprieve; the high energy aggression is still lurking and will snap your hand off if you become too complacent. A Higher Level Of Hate dives headfirst into further bouts of frenetic instrumentation as exhilarating riffing and pulsating drum beats run riot. The quirky vocal delivery proves to be a particular highlight.

Collateral Damage is exactly what you’ll become if you stand too close to this monster. Unforgiving blast beats grab this track by the scruff of the neck and drag it into the eye of the storm. Effective lead work and gruesome, sharp vocal blasts further enhance the sheer savagery at hand. Savages keeps the momentum in full swing with swift, technical riffing that demands you bang your head. Conditional Healing bombards you from all angles, leaving you little room to catch your breath. A buoyant pacing ensures your adrenaline is still pumping vigorously. The Man That I Was Not continues to leave you in awe, this time in the shape of alluring, clean vocal passages that add another layer to their impressive repertoire, especially when abruptly interchanged with formidable growls. This final track may just be the most spectacular of them all.

Oh What The Future Holds is the epitome of ‘All Killer, No Filler’ and showcases a band at the top of their game. FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY somehow keep surpassing their own high standards with each passing release and they have laid down the gauntlet to anyone who dares to oppose them. Surely it is too early to be talking about album of the year contenders?!

Rating: 9/10

Oh What The Future Holds is set for release on January 14th via Nuclear Blast Records.

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