ALBUM REVIEW: Penance – Bound In Fear

UK deathcore outfit BOUND IN FEAR left everyone with their jaws on the floor after the release of their Eternal EP earlier this year. Striking while the iron is hot the band are back with another relentless release in the form of full length effort Penance which is available now via Unique Leader Records. Will this continue their path of dominance?

(De)Scendance wastes little time getting you acquainted with bludgeoning riff work and guttural vocal onslaughts. Ferocious blast beats also burst forth to unleash some carnage. VISCERA frontman and Unique Leader Records CEO Jamie Graham is the first of many to make a guest appearance on this release and his multi-faceted talents add an extra dimension to the unravelling brutality. Just when you think it’s safe to stop cowering from behind the door you are greeted with one final blast of discordant fury.

Penance sends chills straight through your bones with haunting melodies and commanding drum beats that lead into another unrelenting beatdown. Nick Arthur of MOLOTOV SOLUTION immediately makes his presence felt. The scintillating grooves are so potent they threaten to sever your head from your neck. Scar of Man doesn’t halt the visceral assault for even a split second. Mercilessly flogging you to within an inch of your life. The snappy riff work may cause whiplash if you fall victim to its charms. The man currently residing within the ranks of ALLUVIAL, Kevin Muller continues the barbaric vocal contributions.

Beyond The Mire was conspired in the deepest darkest corners of your nightmares and is poised to strike fear directly into your heart. The unnerving pacing leaves you feeling extremely uncomfortable. Wondering at what angle it is going to attack from next. I Still Dream of the End lures you in with its calm yet sinister approach. Before you know it you are ensnared in the web and have no option but to embrace your doom. Adrenaline simply put, is cruelty in its most destructive form. Just when you thought you had any sort of inclination of what to expect as each barrage ensues, this track delves to even darker, more evil depths. Vicious.

Cutthroat ushers in a buoyant, exhilarating stride intertwined with gruesome vocal volleys. An immediate adrenaline rush that gets you hyped and ready for the remaining tracks. Sadist is the audible equivalent of dark matter. It’s dense and utterly unforgiving nature is topped off with a slew of guttural expulsions. Nu11 is equally as grim and demonic. The addition of LEFT TO SUFFER‘s Taylor Barber only assists in its maniacal torment of your soul. The melodic vocal lines bring an intriguing and welcome dynamic to proceedings. You may breath a sigh of relief that Polarity is the final piece of this demented puzzle but rather than demolish you until you’re nothing but dust it exhibits some immersive emotive elements that prove to be rather inviting. There are still copious dashes of intensity and violence but it almost shows a more vulnerable side.

You will only survive this effort if it lets you. Penance is crushing from start to finish and will leave you reeling by the time it releases you from its formidable grasp. Packed to the brim with fiendish hooks and monstrous beatdowns this may not be to everyone’s taste but if you love feeling like you have been headbutted in the face repeatedly you’re guaranteed to be satisfied. BOUND IN FEAR continue to show why they are one of the most exciting prospects on the scene.

Rating: 9/10

Penance is available now via Unique Leader Records.

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