Say what you will about Deathcore, but that goddamn subgenre refuses to die or give an inch. More power to it, I say. While it may not have reached the commercial heights of its sister subgenre, Metalcore, one could argue that that the former has been just as active as the latter. 

Everyone seems to be onboard the Lorna Shore express at the moment while stalwarts like Carnifex and Suicide Silence continue to churn out down-tuned beatdowns on the regular. Well, make way for the next blastbeat prospect in Denmark’s Cabal and latest LP Magno Interitus (Nuclear Blast).

And if you’re looking for music that record labels and public relations folk refer to as “brutal” yet “atmospheric” you’ve found it on Magno Interitus. All the chugging guitars, double-kick drums and keyboard fiddling that Brand of Sacrifice and the aforementioned Lorna Shore indulge in are present and accounted for on tracks like ‘Plague Bringer’ and ‘If I Hang, Let Me Swing.’

For my money you’re going to want to jump in the fire of numbers like the punishing ‘Insidious’ and ‘Exsanguination.’ The latter in particular because it decides to play outside of the usual deathcore comfort zones of mid-tempo or blastbeat and decides to take a chance and go at a speed more akin to thrash. Oh, and before you lose your wig, know that it features a time-tested breakdown to send you home happy.

However, it’s about that time where we address some areas that need improvement. Noticed how I mentioned “keyboard fiddling” earlier? Well, Cabal leans on that element a little too often if you ask me. That’s not just an issue for our Danish friends as deathcore in general has become far too reliant on laptops and keyboards to add atmosphere. ‘Blod af Mit’ and ‘Exit Wound’ certainly spring to mind when it comes to overindulging with the electronics. The world needs less Ronnie Radke excuses. Also, a bit more variety in the form of Andreas Paarup’s vocals would be a welcome touch as well.

At this rate I expect deathcore to outlive us all. 

Buy the album here: https://cabalcph.bandcamp.com/album/magno-interitus

6 / 10

HANS LOPEZ