ALBUM REVIEW: Vessel – Theories

There is a hypnotic quality found in the extremity of music. When the speed is fast enough, and the anger at fever pitch, there is a real magnetic allure to the chaos. That is one of the best features of the smashing brutality of truly extreme genres, and one that THEORIES have been able to streamline down to a gruesome knife edge. Coming out swinging with their second record Vessel, the death/grind quartet show that there is a bleak beauty in the pummelling violence.

The 10 track album reveals its true colours immediately, Human Vessel Cell spirals with frantic lead guitars before the meat and potatoes of the bands sound begins to plough on. The thunderous drums stand centre stage in the mix, serving as an anchor for the swirling maelstrom THEORIES conjure with their relentless compositions. Whilst the take some of the immediate attention, the strong mix helps elevate the thick, crunchy guitar tones through the saturated sound. There is a real sense of consistency throughout the record as well, with the opening moments echoed later in the album on Slow Poison. The recognisable motif helps keep Vessel grounded whilst also simply offering it’s tracks a concrete base from which to lurch into its intense and horrible assault.

And the intensity isn’t relieved much throughout Vessel either. The wretched screams of Rick Powell serves as the final sheen over the polished noise, and it enhances the raw power that resonates during moments like the opening bars of Harvest. The bass drums clip as they keep up with the immense speed, adding a messy quality to the music that amplifies the aggression that is deeply embedded in the music. Thanks to the excellent mastering though, it does mean that the clipping is more of a gooseberry in the mix than a gruesome nuance.

Vessel does walk the line between the squeaky clean production that offers clarity and the rawness of rougher recordings. There is a familiar twang to the snare sound that hearkens to a budget time in the studio, but when surrounded by the dense riffs that make up the core sound of the music it suggest otherwise. The methodical rhythms of Undertow serve as the best argument against this point, proving how effective and precise modern recording has made extreme music. One thing to be said about Vessel is how well defined it is, creating a real sense of controlled and disciplined chaos over-arching the albums lashings.

THEORIES have created a bit of a clinic with Vessel. The intensity is never let up, and remains consistent throughout the whole album. Bolstered by a hypnotic drumming performance that anchors the rest of the band firmly to the musical road with which they barrel down, THEORIES boast a precision that most miss entirely. Whilst providing obvious benefits in the form of structure and excellent production, Vessel lacks the unpredictability that this end of the extreme spectrum often comes with as default. Still, for the lover of disciplined chaos performed with the utmost respect for the craft, THEORIES are probably your best option.

Rating: 8/10

Vessel is out now via Corpse Flower Records. 

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