Ten years removed from their last record, and armed with as solid a lineup as ever in their history, Man Must Die throws a wrench into everyone’s 2023 album of the year considerations, not a month into the new calendar.

For the first time performing as a quintet, the Scottish tech-death tyrants sound as spotless as ever. The Pain Behind It All (Distortion Music) is classic MMD in its beefed-up song lengths. The tracks are given the proper breadth, resulting in aggression that’s meaningful and guided.

The increased size also enables harmonized guitar soloing. The mix-and-matching of the lineup in years past has actually carved out a Man Must Die sound despite members slotting in and out. But with the current state, it’s never sounded better or more motivated to take over the scene.

At first, the song structure and variety of organizational techniques becomes crystal clear. Add to that .50 caliber drumming and flawless chemistry and what’s left is monumental.

‘In The Hour Before Your Death’ is musically written like it’s the lasting impression, a swansong. The proficiency is apparent, the vitality infatuating. Active and articulate string work rages throughout.

Not to be outdone, the title track appropriately offers a glimpse into the machine at work. The bass line-drums-intermittent keyboard-guitar fills sequence is as intricate as it is superbly executed. Finally, Joe McGlynn’s tectonic vocals – a fixture of the band – are the final cherry on top of this record. He’s commanding, poignant, and rapturous. As eloquent as technical death metal can sound, the grunts land with pinpoint accuracy and vigor.

The frequency of full-lengths certainly isn’t abundant, but even a ten-year gap fails to sour any of The Pain Behind It All. A colossal achievement, Man Must Die wasted little time turning heads and cementing their name on the very best of what this calendar year has to offer. 

Buy the album here:

https://manmustdie.bigcartel.com/

9 / 10

MATT COOK