These days, with technology readily at our disposal, music isn’t always created directly by humans. Programming has significantly widened the plains of the musical landscape, for better or worse.

With that in mind, let’s talk about Byron London, skinsman in Colorado deathcore outfit, Crown Magnetar. After almost half a dozen playthroughs of Alone In Death (Unique Leader Records), I am equal parts perplexed and baffled. I was positive the drumming was artificial.

The bass pedal is constantly working double-overtime. It’s ripping, slicing and blistering. Hell, ‘The Pain Of Existence’ sounds more like the minigun on a fighter helicopter than an actual mini-gun on a fighter helicopter. The track is akin to getting hit in the face by a 100-mph fast ball. Twice.

It doesn’t stop there. Why should it? London’s footprints are all over the six tracks. The opening titular song is a deathcore onslaught – an action-packed four-and-a-half minutes. ‘Realistic Flesh Mask’ is another case study on how to sound like a literal machine.

The percussive showcase can’t overshadow the vocal performance, though, as gnarly as it is. Frontman Dan Tucker thrives in this kind of environment. ‘Hellsphere’ is pummeling; ‘Realistic Flesh Mask’ simply commanding (and at times shrieky). 

‘God Is My Enemy’ turns out to be an excellently formidable album finale. Downright merciless thanks to grunting and growling. Add in a bouncy yet towering riff on aforementioned ‘Hellsphere’ and this record kills in every sense of the word. 

The ability to write six unique-sounding deathcore songs is a direct testament to Crown Magnetar’s stellar musicianship. Alone In Death is the work of a band that is brutally hungry. You can feel it in your diaphragm. I shudder to think how London will be able to keep his kit intact on tour, but I’d pay top dollar to find out firsthand.

Buy the album here:

8 / 10

MATT COOK