DESPISED ICON hailing from Montreal, Canada were formed in 2002. After four years break between 2010 and 2014, the Deathcore outfit remained active since then. They released one EP and six full-length albums so far. Album number seven is called "Shadow Work" and it has a length of about 36 minutes. The album was mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (BEYOND CREATION; CRYPTOPSY; INGESTED) at The Grid. It was released via German Metal specialists Nuclear Blast Records. The album starts with the title track, and it all begins with a frantic hammering, driven by blast-beat attacks. The guitar riffs are devastating. The vocals are growls varying around the medium to higher end of the guttural range. The album goes into full Deathcore modus right from the start.  The vocals performed by the two vocalists are very versatile with many tonal shifts from deep-lying growls towards highly pitched screams. The track is pure mayhem and insanity from the first to the last note. It also includes a first breakdown. "Over My Dead Body" has a powerful start with thunderous guitar riffs at measured tempo and a stomping rhythm. It is a track of the vocalists as Matt Honeycutt (KUBLAI KHAN) is the guest vocalist and all vocalists deliver a masterclass of aggressive screams alternating throughout the track.

While "Over My Dead Body" was dark, "Death Of An Artist" is a brutal pummeling, driven by the blast-beat thunderstorms. The guitar riffing is very aggressive, and the highly pitched screams come straight from the abyss. During the break, the guitars deliver a grim atmosphere with spine-chilling melodies, especially during the solo close to the end of the track. "Corpse Pose" continues with the hammering and the blast-beat attacks, however, there are constant changes between fast parts, mid-tempo parts, and sequences at a measured tempo. There is a lot of backing vocal support, which introduces a few Hardcore twists. Towards the end of the track, a bit of chilling atmosphere is added by the lead guitars. "The Apparition" starts by introducing the main melody of the track provided by the guitars, transitioning into another aggressive hammering led by the punishing guitar riffs and the blast-beats. It is a back and forth between fast and aggressive parts and the atmospheric melodic parts. The track closes out with a huge breakdown. "The Apparition" is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. "Reaper" is a slow track at measured tempo and a pounding rhythm. The guitar riffs are thunderous and accompanied by plenty of double-bass drumming. It is another track where the vocals can shine and they all do with Scott Luis (CARNIFEX) and Tom Barber (CHELSEA GRIN) providing the guest vocals.

"In Memoriam" has a spine-chilling start at a slow tempo. The track is in principle played at a measured tempo with some subtle changes in rhythm. The focus is put on a grim melodic delivery, which is intensified by the keyboards. Guest keyboarder Ursula Kurasik (MISSTIQ) gives the track an additional layer. "Omen Of Misfortune" is a brutal and aggressive pummeling with devastating guitar riffs accompanied by short blast-beat attacks. The melodies are grim, in particular during the mid-tempo part before the breakdown.  "Obsessive Compulsive Disaster" starts with crushing basslines, leading into an aggressive and fast pummeling. The guitar riffing is punishing and has a few Thrash Metal vibes at times. The tempo slows slightly down during the choruses, while the backing vocals add something extra to the track. "ContreCoeur" is the only track in French, and the sound is a bit different. It is a pretty short affair with punishing riffs and blast-beat attacks, all at insane pace. There is plenty of backing vocal support and this gives the track a lot of Hardcore vibes. The track offers a mid-tempo break led by a contributing lead guitar solo. The album closes with "Fallen Ones" and the track offers a switch towards measured tempo and a stomping rhythm. The guitar riffing is thunderous, while the vocals are very versatile with tonal shifts ranging from deep-lying growls towards higher pitched growls. The backing vocals deliver the chorus line. The track slowly fades out with an acoustic guitar solo, which has a lot of oriental vibes.

DESPISED ICON deliver a very good album. "Shadow Work" goes beyond classical Deathcore and moves boundaries. Hardcore twists are evident in a few songs, Death Metal vibes as well. The guitar riffing is punishing, and the melodic lines of the album are spine-chilling. The album is well produced. DESPISED ICON continue to deliver much appreciated albums and "Shadow Work" is a must-have album for Deathcore fans.