Following a devastating diagnosis of leukemia in late 2021, vocalist/guitarist Mark Whelan spent nearly a year battling cancer through chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, and emerged in remission in 2022. Now cancer free, the beloved front man returns rejuvenated with renewed determination, perspective and creativity in a new lease on life and the band’s most crucial and ferocious record yet. Commenting on the incoming record, Whelan says: “What started as a fictional concept album became incredibly real. I was facing certain death, but as I kept writing the album it’s theme became clear. You could die tomorrow. Seize the day.”

The album has 12 songs, and “Out of Time” is first. A low and heavily distorted riff saunters in with feedback, followed by a slow and punishing grind of near-Industrial elements, tinged with Hardcore elements. The overall picture is barren. “The Silence Beyond Life” has a similar groove, with a lumbering riff downtuned so low, you can barely find the bottom, and the vocals are somewhat of a cross between shouts and gutturals, with cleans at times even. “The Sign of Pain” has a bit of a faster pace, but still that intensity that never lets up. There are also some fleeing moments of melody, but they are short lived.

 “I’ll Find You” is another song with a heavy bottom end. At this point in the album, you can clearly hear the mash-up of several styles, including Death, Thrash, Industrial, Hardcore, and even some Metalcore. “Kill the Disease” is another burner that tears up the earth and leave a hot trail of fire behind it. There is also a breakdown, which is pretty common in many Metal styles. “R.I.P (Rest in Piss)” has a similar sound, and at this point, there should be at least some variation through a 12 song stretch. “Postfigurement” closes the album. Unfortunately, it’s more of the same sound over and over again.

Although the album was decent, 12 songs is just a bit of overkill, especially when too many of the songs have a similar sound, structure, and vocal cadence. You have to give it up for a guy with a cancer diagnosis however, it takes courage beyond comprehension to survive something like that.