CALL OF CHARON were formed in 2006 and they are from Duisburg, Germany. They play a mixture of Deathcore and Metalcore. With a history of almost 20 years, they released with two EPs and their second full-length album relatively few materials, and their debut album came out only in 2019. Now, six years later, “Tales Of Tragedy” was released via German Death, Black, Power, and Heavy Metal specialists Massacre Records. It has a length of about 33 minutes. The album starts with the tension-building pre-lude “Devil In The Darkness”, transitioning into the frantic “We Are One (An Ode To Murder)”. It is a track played at insane pace with devastating guitar riffing, and plenty of blast-beat attacks and double-bass drumming. The vocals are split between the band’s vocalist and guest vocalist Hagen Petschat (RUINS OF PERCEPTION). Both are growlers with the full range of deep-lying growls to higher pitched growls and screams. The track switches tempo and rhythm constantly with some parts being played at down-tempo and thunderous guitar riffs. “We Are One (An Ode To Murder)” was released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below.

“Ocean Grave” starts with powerful guitar riffing at a measured tempo leading into the verse part. Some effects are added to the track and the pace increases as the Deathcore onslaught goes on. The growling vocals are versatile and switch constantly between higher pitched and deep-lying growls. The melodies are grim and have some traces of melancholy in them. “Suffer In Silence” continues with the spine-chilling melodic framework at fast pace, supported by blast-beat attacks. There are frequent twists in rhythm and tempo throughout the track. The melodies are intensified by adding a few atmospheric features and some effects to the track. “The Demon King” starts right with the vocals and the track goes immediately into the verse part, supported by relentless double-bass drumming and punishing guitar riffing. The melodies follow the same grim and melancholic patterns as during the preceding tracks. It reminds me on the “Serenity in Fire” era of KATAKLYSM at times. The tempo goes down during the chorus parts. “The Demon King” is one of my favorite album songs. “Already Dead” is an atmospheric, 90-seconds inter-lude driven by the vocals, transitioning into “Insomnia / Paranoia”, which starts very powerful at mid-tempo for the verse parts with devastating riffs, strong basslines, and some effects enhancing a crushing delivery. While the verse parts use mainly deep-lying growls, the chorus parts also utilize higher pithed growls, all accompanied by the double-bass drumming.

“Words Of Separation” has a frantic start with thunderous guitar riffing, hammering drums, and the constantly switching growls. The melodies remain spine-chilling and are intensified by added effects. There are not many twists in tempo, however, the break provides a massive down-tempo part. “They Come At Night” starts with an atmospheric and bone-chilling intro, leading into the mid-tempo track with direct and aggressive guitar riffs accompanied by plenty of double-bass drumming and blast-beats. There are twists in tempo and rhythm throughout the track ranging from down-tempo parts to some parts played at blistering pace. The melodies remain dark and “They Come At Night” is another album highlight. The album finishes with “One More Day” and after another start at crazy pace, the track switches permanently between highly paced and down-tempo parts. The down-tempo are driven by thunderous guitar riffs. The melodies are chilling, melancholic, and intensified by atmospheric guitar parts and effects. “One More Day” is a good way to end the album.

CALL OF CHARON deliver a very good modern Deathcore album. Their album shows that good Deathcore is not necessarily an apposition of devastating breakdowns. “Tales Of Tragedy” focusses on blood-freezing melodies and atmospheres, all based on punishing guitar riffs, tempo switches, relentless and hammering drumming, and a vocalist who keeps everything well together with his versatility. The songwriting is very mature, and the album is well produced. “Tales Of Tragedy” is one of the best Deathcore releases I listened to in recent times, and if someone knows a better album, feel free to send it to me.