By John Bedard
I know I say this in almost every review but I am going to say it again. One of the most important things for music to do for me is telling me a story. It does not necessarily have to be an actual story through lyrics though. It can also just be the music itself that evolves and changes making the experience feel like it is taking me somewhere. Sure, there are albums and even whole genres that don’t do this that I still like but my single favourite aspect of music is the ability to tell a story and make you as the listener feel invested on a deeper level that only music can really do. Not many artists can really pull this off – but Dead World Reclamation knocks it out of the park with ‘Aura of Iniquity’. This is a masterclass on how to do melodic death metal right!
From the very first moment of this album, I knew I was going to love it. They lean heavily into the melodic side of the genre with the musical composition. There is wonderful complexity within every track with a variety of styles and instruments coming together to create an experience that really stands out to me as one of the best examples of the genre that I have heard in a long time. There is a wonderful evolution to every track that tells a story even before you take the vocals into account.
Speaking of the vocals, they are outstanding as well. Here things stay a little more toward the traditional death metal side of the genre with that powerful screamed growl we all know and love but once again stands out as one of the better executions I have heard for the vocals in a while. You can hear the passion in every note bleed through. It is an outstanding experience that keeps your undivided attention.
Whenever I go into a new album I always hope for the best. Most I end up reviewing have aspects I like and some I don’t. It is very rare that I go into an album and end up with nothing to nitpick. This album is a masterpiece and is definitely going in my top ten for the year so far. This is a must-have experience. You can not let yourself miss out on this one. Any metal collection that is missing this album is incomplete. Pick it up! You owe it to yourself.
- ‘Aura of Iniquity’ is released on Friday (23 April). You can get your copy HERE.
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