The third album from Joliet, Illinois-based Molder, Catastrophic Reconfiguration (Prosthetic Records), is a collection of sonic brutality. 

Presented here are ten cuts where each stands on its own, each vying to be the song that kicks the most ass. 

Molder puts their influences on full display for this one. Many of the tracks contain elements that cannot help but send the listener down memory lane. Conjuring albums and bands that came before, laying the foundation for their particular brand of chaos. 

Another noteworthy dynamic is their ability to keep the jams simple. The band does well to play to the jam, picking changes of tempo, left turn sections, and head-banging parts that seem obvious once they are presented but can often be overthought, and feel forced if not done tastefully. 

Even the flashier guitar parts seem to be paying homage to those who came before rather than being a podium for displaying personal proficiency. 

Molder is one of those bands that, at least on this new album, are very hard to place into one specific genre. One moment they are doing one thing, then we go down the road a few steps and they have crossed over into almost every Metal subgenre. They play what they think sounds cool and stick to it. This sounds very simple, but many miss this point completely. With driving guitars, a nasty-ass bass tone, and drums that go from tribal to blistering speed at the drop of the hat, Molder blazes through each track like a machine bent for metal chaos. All-in-all this new one kicks some ass. Be sure to check it out.

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

8 / 10
TORBJORN SOLGARD
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