Boston, Massachusetts’s AVERSED is a Progressive/Melodic Death Metal band, formed in 2009. “Erasure of Color” is only their second full-length release, and it has nine songs. “To Cover Up the Sky” is first, and it’s a thick, dense cacophony of aggressive guitars and drums, and deadly harsh vocals. There is some melody tucked away here and there, and even some clean vocals, but by in large, this is a very weighted and contentious sound. “Cross to Bear” is slower, and you can feel the heavy burden of the harsh vocals on your back. They are towering. Again, there are some cleans in the chorus but melody takes the back seat to crushing, pulverizing punishment. 

“Inexorable” means refers to something that is “impossible to stop or prevent,” which in this case encapsulates this juggernaut known as AVERSED. When melodies do poke out, they are quickly doused in the black filth of naked aggression, and some of the transitions are stark while others flow a bit better, as in this song. “Burn” is indeed a song that is on fire, and it’s a raging fire with accelerant that cannot be doused with traditional methods. One of the primary tenants of Melodic Death Metal is its ability to hit both extremes…melody and aggression, and this song hits both, although aggression packs a harder hit.

“Solitary” makes better use of atmosphere at first, with a thick chugging base line, and sultry, clean vocals, but again, the harsh vocals and aggressive music rises up quickly. They keep it ay bay however, focusing more on a balance between the two. This dark and moody song is one of my favorites. The title track speaks to one of the album’s biggest accomplishments…the abolishment of color (melody) from the vile darkness of the album’s aggression. “Yearning” is a somber offering, as the title suggests. Yearning means “a feeling of intense longing for something.” It is a piano and clean guitar led number that really seems to encapsulate this definition.

“Departures” closes the album, and it’s a strong mix of every element that the band has used on the album so far…aggression, melody, and even somber tones. The vocal screams will send chills down your spine. Overall, the band is clearly talented, and their compositions are tight. They can hit you with a one-two punch of hardened belligerence, especially in the vocals, or they can take a step back and let the melody flow when they need to. Some of the transitions in and out of these competing passages can be bold, even stark however, and I wish some of them were just a bit smoother.