ALBUM REVIEW: The Burden Ov Faith – Ov Sulfur
When you think of deathcore’s hottest property, you may think of LORNA SHORE. To be fair, you’d be correct, however hot on their heels is a new name being bounced around the scene before they’ve even released a debut full-length record. Vegas natives OV SULFUR might be a new name, but vocalist Ricky Hoover is no stranger to the genre. Bursting onto the scene with SUFFOKATE and impressing with his vocals, Hoover‘s name alone is enough to build some interest in this new project. After releasing some disgustingly heavy tracks on the 2021 EP Oblivion, the band suddenly became one of the most talked about acts in deathcore and the metal world itself. Fast forward to 2023 and we finally have their first full-length album titled The Burden Ov Faith and somehow it’s even more devastating in every which way possible.
If you wanted a crushing opening statement then look no further than Stained In Rot. This song has everything that we heard from their EP and then some, including Hoover’s clean vocals making an appearance. If this is your first time hearing the band then you might be pleasantly surprised. After the cacophony of noise that emanates from his mouth like Cerberus barking outside the gates of Hell, you’ll wonder whether it’s truly him singing. But just wait, it gets even more impressive later. The following Befouler features a guest spot from none other than SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL‘s Alex Terrible. It’s an interesting choice of track for him to appear on considering this one is almost closer to old-school metalcore than deathcore, but his vocals towards the track’s conclusion are destructive. It’s a solid choice for a single due to its punchy and memorable chorus.
Arguably the pinnacle of the album is the blistering Death Ov Circumstance. It doesn’t ease you in slowly at all, instead blindsiding you on the temple as Hoover comes in untethered with rage knowing no bounds. The string and piano accompaniment adds an extra spin to the track and lifts it to extreme heights, especially in the monumental chorus. It’s a culmination of everything the band can do, including a ripping solo. Goosebumps.
Being crushed by the music is one thing, one being hit square in the gut by the lyrical content is another. Earthen is one of the most devastating and thought-provoking tracks ever put to tape. Centred around the death of Hoover‘s 16-year-old nephew and his tragic loss to a battle with cancer, the vocalist cries out “What kind of God tests a child?“, and you must wonder exactly that. You can hear the anger and sadness throughout this track through tears of rage. There should never be any reason for anyone to go through this kind of war, let alone a child. Horrific and heart-breaking.
One thing to point out here at the halfway mark is just how massive everything sounds. Everything is cranked up, but it never seems to become overburdened. It’s a huge-sounding record that requires playing at full volume. The guitars are punchy and marry up well with the keys and strings, while the bass rumbles through making sure its presence is always known. The drum work is intense without becoming overbearing with blasts like some modern-day deathcore records can be.
The back half of the album is arguably not quite as memorable as the first half but there are still some incredible moments. The appearance of LIGHT THE TORCH frontman Howard Jones is an inspired decision due to his ability to turn everything he touches into gold, while the track The Inglorious Archetype is as catchy as it is heavy. The final curtain call of The Burden Ov Faith is the title track that features two guest vocalists. The haunting gothic cleans from Lindsay Schoolcraft (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH) and the harsh growls of Kyle Medina of the brutal BODYSNATCHER join the fray. This is one of the most atmospheric tracks and is an impressive way to end the album, especially with the bell tolling as the breakdown hits. It’s heavy enough to break apart the earth beneath the church that Hoover so profoundly wants answers from.
While OV SULFUR‘s debut isn’t a game changer, it is one of the best deathcore albums to come along in recent years and the band’s mix of brutality and melody is blended perfectly in a wave of ruination. First TO THE GRAVE and now OV SULFUR both releasing triumphant deathcore records this year – the genre is in safe hands.
Rating: 9/10
The Burden Ov Faith is set for release on March 24th via Century Media Records.
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