Xerath – I
Genres: Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal
Label: Candlelight
Well holy shit. Honestly I figured I’d be throwing on some thrash when I played this but that is a big resounding no. This is some bonecrushing proggy stuff that’s part Meshuggah and part Dimmu Borgir, who Xerath name drop as influences. Thunderclaps and beautiful keyboards drop off into a maelstrom of brimstone scented riffs and you’re tossed around like a rag doll in a tornado, unable to stop banging your head. Until “Interlude” comes in, at least. It’s a gorgeous keyboard tune that really fits with their “chug-score” style of playing.
If you’re into metal that makes you think, you should check out Xerath. And if you just prefer metal that you can beat the shit out of people in the pit to, Xerath fits that bill too. They’re fucking good.
Favorite tracks are “Nocturnum”, “Interlude”, “False History” (watch for a video of this song sometime soon), and “Abiogenesis”.
7.5 out of 10.