ALBUM REVIEW: Uncrossing The Keys – Wode
The UK has a long and storied reputation of producing top tier black metal and WODE are in amongst the best our small slice of the world has ever produced. Having firmly established themselves in the underground, 2021’s Burn In Many Mirrors saw the Mancunians expand their sphere of influence considerably. Now, four years later comes Uncrossing The Keys; a blackened heavy metal romp that ticks all the right boxes.
There’s always been a traditional heavy metal sensibility to WODE‘s craft. While fellow Mancunians WINTERFYLLETH and SAOR from further north bask firmly in the atmospheric black metal bracket, WODE‘s MO is to go for the jugular. And it works. Building upon the foundations of its predecessor, 2021’s Burn In Many Mirrors, Uncrossing The Keys sees WODE deliver a record packed to the rafters with killer riffs.
Album opener Two Crossed Keys gives the first glance into what the record has to offer as a cacophony of thundering drums, snarling vocals and NWOBHM-inspired leads twist and contort harmoniously and the clever use of pacing helps kick the record off in fine fashion. From there, WODE spread their wings and in many ways, Uncrossing The Keys feels like the band’s most dynamic and forward-thinking record to date. Under Lanternlight is peppered with goth rock splashes that feel right at home on a TRIBULATION record and the little noodling leads are a treat on the ears, while Prisoner of the Moon‘s subtle doomier influences helps add extra weight to the atmosphere, really helping the track land a knockout punch.
What helps deliver this is the pacing. Arguably one of the record’s biggest strengths, the way in which Uncrossing The Keys unfolds over its near 43-minute runtime is first class. The likes of Transmutation and the aforementioned Prisoner of the Moon‘s use of a more mid-tempo and doomier approach allows the band to deliver a rich atmosphere without requiring any symphonic shortcuts, whereas Fiery End‘s riff-centric approach is as vicious as it is brilliantly executed. It’s testament to the band’s ability to keep you on your toes, and taken as a collective whole, Uncrossing The Keys is a damn fine record that should appeal to anyone with an ear for the more sharper ends of the metal spectrum.
Although it might not break any new ground or present anything particularly revolutionary, Uncrossing The Keys sees WODE continue to evolve, delivering a dynamic and confident offering. The resulting listen is terrific, performed by a band who are clearly refining their craft with wonderful results. The UK’s extreme metal scene is ludicrously good health today. With Uncrossing The Keys, the Mancunians cement their position as one of our heavyweights.
Rating: 8/10
Uncrossing The Keys is out now via 20 Buck Spin.
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