Blissful Death
Xenotheory
From Bandcamp, “For this second album, “Blissful Death,” we went all in, pouring our heart and soul into 45 minutes of unrelenting auditory warfare. We doubled the intensity and complexity, evolving into 11 brutal tracks that blend Deathcore with the crushing weight of Slam, the intricate structures of Progressive Metal, and the dark, suffocating atmosphere of Black Metal. This time, we focused on creating an immersive, organic wall of sound that draws listeners into a chaotic yet meticulously crafted experience. Every note is calculated chaos, every riff a descent into madness, pushing boundaries while staying true to our aggressive ethos. This album is not just a continuation—it's a statement, a raw and violent evolution of everything we've been building toward.”
The album has eleven songs, and “Resurrection” is first; a short introduction to the album. It’s heavy, dark, and the vocals are guttural death. The backing synths also provide a measure of atmosphere. “The Chasm” has more of those synths working with the filthy vocals and low tuned guitars. If it wasn’t for them, the weight of the music might crush the listener into bits. The vocals are delivered very uniformly, as the style sometimes demands. “Ozymandias” is similar to the first two songs, and at this point, it is clear that the band isn’t taking any chances on their boundaries. They have a style, and they are sticking with it, and I can respect that. “Eclipse (日食)” also uses keyboards to create a lush backdrop, and the images I get in my head are that of a green fog which moves slowly through the village, leaving bodies in its wake.
“The Call” has a similar sound and scope, and although the drummer can double kick faster than a hummingbird flaps his wings, the album is starting to run together a bit. “I Nimrod” has a very similar eight note riff as some of the other songs. I have to be honest here, I don’t hear many Progressive elements or much in the way of Black Metal. It’s pure Deathcore, through and through. This is just an observation. “What Lies Below” has a bit of variation but the boundaries of the genre can be very unforgiving, and it seems that the band is playing within those confines. “Son of Man” has crushing breakdown, the kind that reduces the music to its most primal form. The final song has two parts, and I finally pick up on some Black Metal.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a good album. The band is talented for sure, and there is something to be said about their uncompromising commitment to their craft. I get that their mission on this album was to deliver aggression, and that they have accomplished. But even within the confines of the genre, there is room for some variation and more personal touches.
Tags:
7 / 10
Good
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Blissful Death" Track-listing:
1. Resurrection
2. The Chasm
3. Ozymandias
4. Eclipse (日食)
5. The Call
6. I Nimrod
7. What Lies Below
8. The Fortieth Night
9. Son of Man
10. Le Dixième Cercle (part 1)
11. Le Dixième Cercle (part 2)
Xenotheory Lineup:
Nicolas Cardoso – Vocals
Léo Dieleman – Bass
Florent Lambert – Guitars, Drums, Synths
Adrien Laplace – Guitars
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