With its namesake taken from poet Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, Connecticut’s own Boundaries have offered an undeniably bleak effort which is certainly relatable in current times. Inspired by the notion that dying is perhaps not a terrible alternative, it’s a thought that certainly feels cuttingly real in a day of continued strife and tribulations on an almost constant basis. An undeniably dark overall narrative and inspiration Death Is Little More (3DOT Recordings) encapsulates with utter gloom and savagery in aplomb.

The term Metalcore likely conjures one of two largely different takes on the genre for those uninitiated to Boundaries; it’s the harder hitting, more brutal side of the genre. This is a largely punishing and fully aggressive, nay, desperate sounding effort which hits the ground running on opener “Turning Hate Into Rage”. It rarely lets up from this point, injecting such viciousness with serrating guitar work and expected, gargantuan breakdowns. 

Not that it isn’t without diversity, at least to a subtle degree, which sees the band’s lyricism evolve over time. There are comparatively hugely melodic passages such as the soaring vocal refrain on “Darkness Shared” or the brief but evocative ambient shift within the brooding “A Pale Light Lingers”. They are notable and effective elements that do not take away from the utter despairing tone of the album. 

A punishing and emotional experience culminates with “Inhale The Grief” and its closing lines of “I feel like a fuck up, I feel like a failure, but at least it’s not every day and I am getting better”, which land an utter gut punch and offers little recovery as it mostly ends on this deep note.

In former works, Boundaries have shown to be a formidable entity with huge potential, yet the stride into dark, emotional resonance on Death Is Little More is a striking and very welcome development. It is hard to believe anyone will look at the subject matter and not feel some solidarity with standings in the world right now. The world is a grave place and whilst Death Is Little More won’t be a comforting experience, it is a hugely apt and rewarding one.

Buy the album here:
https://lnk.to/scarsonasoul

8 / 10
CHRIS TIPPELL