EP REVIEW: A Letter To Anguish – Harbinger
UK based genre-splicers HARBINGER have had a particularly eventful couple of years (and that is without mentioning the dreaded pandemic). Frontman Thom Gardener departed in 2019 which left the band in quite the predicament. Thankfully, Ex-NEXILVA powerhouse Dilan Alves has joined their ranks. Their long awaited follow-up to the crushing Compelled To Suffer entitled A Letter To Anguish is out now, and it was absolutely worth the wait.
Prayer Of Deliverance swiftly introduces Alves with a ferocious vocal blast as crunchy riffing and stomping hooks take this track by the scruff of the neck. The diversity of vocal styles on show within this piece is mindblowing. It didn’t take long at all for HARBINGER to slot straight into the pocket and show off their copious technical prowess all neatly capped off with a devastating breakdown. Hate File keeps you on your toes with its unpredictable rhythm as it batters you with another guttural onslaught. The energetic eccentricity is incredibly alluring and the introduction of the layered melodies helps to amplify the intensity of the heavier segments. Guile injects some additional urgency with a heightened tempo and an abundance of commanding grooves. If you had to select a track to immediately incite pit-related violence then this would be a surefire choice. Throw in some chilling atmospherics and a maniacal beatdown section and you’ve got one hell of a crowd pleaser.
Antagonist takes a demonic turn as its unnerving soundscape begins to tighten its grip. Emphatic instrumentation runs riot, hitting you with powerful force at every turn. A Letter To Anguish shows a vulnerable, emotive side whilst still continuing the surging waves of swift riffing. This track has an anthemic quality to it, luring you in with its slick hooks and enticing transitions in pace. A flurry of meticulous leadwork is reeled off in impeccable fashion. Guiltless balances varying vocal layers to great effect as its dramatic narrative drives forward. From soaring pitched screams to volleys of gritty growls it continues to be full of surprises.
HARBINGER have managed to cram more creativity into this mini-album than most bands can handle in a more extensive release. A Letter To Anguish has proved to be the ideal introduction to this new and exciting era for the band as Alves puts his stamp on everything he gets his hands on. This release is just enough to leave you craving more and will certainly have people flocking back to experience its excellence time and time again.
Rating: 9/10
A Letter To Anguish is out now via self-release.
Like HARBINGER on Facebook.