When you've been a band for a long time, some people will give you a free pass. They’ll allow you to write the same album, or a lesser album, over and over without batting an eye. A blind devotion of sorts. I myself may have that issue now and then. But even I myself know when to call a shite, a shite. Luckily in Immolation’s case, they get a pass because they simply keep stepping up their game and getting better with each release.
Lyrically, the band have dropped their anti-religious tendencies for a forecasting a grim future. Vocals sound like a torch spewing a blackened fire around your feet the entire time; you're stuck, have fun. And the music that is accompanying paints that bleak message to a tee. From the start, the title track rips open your chest within a minute of starting, then following track ‘Bound to Order’ messes with your mind; riffs shifting back and forth in the “chorus” to the grinding drum/guitars that follow. A blistering, but short, solo comes right before the two minute mark. And then it fucking hits. While keeping drums and riffs moving, you’re caught in a mid-pace movement that has you in a daze. By far one of the best bridge sections in a song that I can remember, again followed by a blink-and-miss solo.
‘God Complex’ is a test to see if you happen to be paying attention. The guitars and drums shift at times, but it’s ultimately seamless, pulled off by veterans that have been doing this longer than most young gun band members have been alive. The spiraling riff and roar from fucking hell that start out ‘Echoes of Despair’, well, again, look at the title. The whole song is essentially a huge set of shifting guitars with a mind ripping drum beat being thrown around, yet it is cohesive and catchy. The trick to being technical is to not sacrifice songwriting, and Immolation have it mastered. You’ll find the grooves of ‘Indoctrinate’ making you tap your feet at your desk while at work. And if you have a really good memory, well, you’ll probably end up throwing furniture and smashing shit like it’s no ones business. Vicious fucking grooves that stick with you.
‘A Spectacle of Lies’ is the shortest track you’ll find here, and it a good example of getting the job done fast and efficiently. Stop and start guitars leaving room for a skin beating behind the kit, and a solo that comes in and out while the rhythm guitar behind it just fucking nails it. ‘All That Awaits’ closes out this grim tale, slowly dragging you through a burned down building to witness what the fuck is left of the world. Bends and harmonics spew from the guitars and still manage to keep the momentum going when they slow down at times. The frantic solo that is mixed in is mind boggling at first, but after repeat listens its true colors show; a dark, evil mother fucker. When the song finally does end, your heart will have popped out of you damn chest and you’ll be begging for more.
The sound that flows through this album is very claustrophobic at times, and I love the hell out of it. I feel suffocated but yet I can still hear everything that’s going on. After repeat listens I started to pick up on small guitar and drum parts I didn't hear at first. I found more spots and rhythms to bang my head to. An evil, dark set of death metal songs sure to please Immolation's fans old and new, and win over the doubters in the back of the venue. Where some bands settle into a level of mediocrity 25 years into their career, Immolation just keep on making albums better and better. With Kingdom of Conspiracy they have shown that they can be technical, catchy, and effective with what they have to say without wasting anyone’s time. Something many bands need to learn these days.
You can pick up Kingdom of Conspiracy on May 10th in Europe and on May 14th in the US, via Nuclear Blast Records. Don’t miss out on this one. You be sorry if you do. Support artists and musicians you enjoy.
HAIL!!!!!!!!!!
