UK death metal and death core has certainly improved over the last few years and Viatrophy can only make it even better with this their self titled debut album. Within any genre there are those bands that sound good and perform well, but there are those that are just one step above the rest as they produce music that challenges the listener much more.
Viatrophy are just such a band as this mightily impressive debut will attest to. The very quiet intro builds similar to metalcore until ‘Mistress Of Misery’ bursts in with pummelling driving riff carnage. The bands clever use of guitar leads and harmonies gives hints of Hate Eternal but without the frenetic speed. The massive drop to a short acoustic interlude creates a Cult Of Luna soundscape which fades gradually before ‘Sea Of Storms’ deathcore slamming riff builds to a cascading double bass kick. The slam riff is never far away but is decorated with tons of guitar effects giving the song a progressive air especially when they tip-toe into an atmospheric piece that is thoroughly absorbing.
Some Spanish like acoustics begin ‘The Ethereal Darkness’ which is spliced together with Swedish metal riffing. The slam riff hits hard and deliberate as the song coils similarly to Misery Signal as the guitar sound takes on a Katatonia style moroseness in its tone when the pace drops. Bizarre as that may seem it continues into ‘Aurora’ a wonderful Opethesque passage. A beautiful harmony lead starts ‘Sufferance’ as the double bass kick gradually increases into a slick almost power metal riff. This band makes each song so varied and exquisitely interesting that it takes a few listens to realise what the hell you’ve just listened to.
‘The Futile Prayers’ is a full on death metal explosion initially with a super fast blast and savage riffs. However even here the experimentation is rarely far away with a wonderful mournful lead that lingers in your head. The albums experimental nature reaches a pinnacle on ‘The Final Light’ as the Cult Of Luna progressiveness is in full flow when the sorrowful start with subtle drum taps weave around until the main riff boldly strikes up. The dip into acoustics is sublime and enthralling leading to spacey guitar leads I enjoyed tremendously. The album returns to familiar death metal on ‘Treachery’ which I felt should have been placed before the previous track to end the album in an epic nature, but I guess that’s the old classic rocker coming out in me.
A cracking piece of experimental metallic brilliance and for a change its home grown talent. Check this out; it is worth every second of it.
http://www.myspace.com/viatrophy
