ALBUM REVIEW: Wound – Despite Exile
When you think of Italy your mind immediately jumps to tourist hotspots and their signature dishes, but roaming around the dark tunnels of the country’s underbelly is the beast known as DESPITE EXILE. The talented six-piece powerhouse are poised to unleash their third full-length effort entitled Wound which is due for release on December 2nd via Kontrolla Music Group. What will they have in store for us this time round?
Riven Mirrors welcomes you with a vicious vocal onslaught accompanied by hefty drum sequences. Chilling, melodic atmospherics lurk around the soundscape – a suitably destructive offering to get you warmed up for what is to follow. Scepter keeps the momentum flowing with powerful shredding as an ominous cloud looms overhead. Whilst intent on pulverising your ear drums there is also a distinct vibrancy that feels eerily comforting.
After The Deluge follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, meshing both light and dark tones effectively. Nimble intricacy makes its presence felt. Custodian adopts a stomping, jarring stride in the initial stages before it picks up the pace. DESPITE EXILE bare their sharp teeth with a frantic array of chaos.
Sunder continues to throw twisting and turning technicality into the mix. The unpredictable ferocity shows it can strike at any moment. From The Black Beyond provides a moment of reflection with a mixture of calming and equally unnerving moods. This provides the foundations for A Pale Glimmer Of Light, a track which traverses through a variety of emotions and tones that keep your gaze firmly fixed on what is unfolding.
Lament eases you in with tempting instrumentation before blindsiding you with a volley of brutality. Swift drumming leaves its emphatic stamp. The invigorating intensity proves to be as irresistible as it is barbaric. Golden Shards unleashes scathing screams and gruesome gutturals that run rampant throughout this track. Hymn Of Failure holds its own with enough explosive content to give you third degree burns. You would expect the final track to go out in a blaze of glory but Wound opts for a peaceful instrumental departure allowing you to digest what has just occurred.
Wound will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on anyone who decides they are brave enough to let it loose from its cage. It is a shame that this release has made an appearance this late in the game as it would have certainly bulldozed its way into a good chunk of end of year lists. DESPITE EXILE continue to show that they are one of the most exciting outfits in the realms of deathcore.
Rating: 8/10
Wound is set for release on December 2nd via Kontrolla Music Group.
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