Though a new name to the Swedish death metal scene the who form Firespawn are no strangers to the workings of this extreme noise, formed in 2015 we see of Entombed A.D, Unleashed, and Necrophobic come together to create some of the most intense, if not audibly terrifying, death metal that has ever seen the light of day.
Today we take a step in what will be the band’s second release since 2015’s Shadow Realms as we now enter the chaos that is The Reprobate.
We start off with the record’s opening track entitled “Serpent of the Ocean”, the song chosen as the first music video for the record. We see the band return with a strong and ferocious sound that doesn’t fail to bring what fans have been waiting for. Their trademark speed and skill bring a new, more intense feel to their music while also keeping the same levels as Shadow Realms by combining a furious spray of sounds and structure that rarely is found in some acts that try to utilise these traits. Aggressive and monumental “Serpent of the Ocean” is truly a song that kicks off this record perfectly.
Continuing on we head into the track “Blood Eagle”. Starting a tad more technically, we see the band progressing with the enforced speed and style. It can be said that with this band there is a mist of intrigue that is identifiable in many ways, but also very mysterious as we see them going into something that is more violent to the ear but focused to the sound. “Blood Eagle” brings together the traits we all came to love from this incredible supergroup of extreme metal musicians by showing just what they are capable of doing a second time over. When we think of the experience that these musicians have gained over the years it is not surprising that we receive a slab of pure unadulterated death metal.
Heading on we enter the record’s third track entitled “Full of Hate”. Starting very differently from the previous two, it opens more slowly and with more melody while also adding something that tugs at the ear. The track as a whole brings elements that a lot of fans would have picked up on from the first Firespawn record. These elements may be melodic or very chaotic but in the end we see them brought together in an array of incredible sounds and styles that in every way fill in the colours of the Firespawn banner.
Onwards! We enter the track that is “Damnatio ad Bestias”. This is a song that fans are going to be blasting for hours on end, a song that brings atmosphere and intensity at their best while also harnessing an ambience that very much destroys the senses. Featuring a dual guitar style, we witness a powerful mixture that shows fans that there are no limitations with this act and that there is still a lot more to come.
We venture to the record’s fifth track, “Death by Impalement”. Heavy and utterly groovy in every moment, we see Firespawn reawaken evil with this monster of a track. It does not fail to set your neck into full gear. “Monstrous” is the best way to describe this song, as it brings together a surge of violent grooves that blend in with the band’s destructive sound and style. When it comes to Firespawn there are always surprises in store for fans.
We follow on with “General’s Creed”. Starting fast and relentless without a thought of stopping, we see the band taking ideas of their home country’s scene with fast and precise riffs mixed with an aggression that only a veteran voice of the original Swedish death metal scene would have acquired. The sound and style are that of a relentless beast on track to destroy and claim their prey which is what fans would expect from Firespawn!
“The Whitechapel Murderer” is a track that packs a hard groove and bass tone, which brings out a tormenting yet beautiful lilt that somehow makes you want to see where this goes more and more. The track brings a soft but very noticeable melody that makes itself known in the chorus. Indeed, throughout this record the band have tried different things to ensure that the album as a whole stands out as something more than just a clone of the first. This is a song that packs a punch.
“A Patient Wolf” starts fast and leaves you battered and bleeding, looking for help to ensure that this pain does not continue. Having a faster edge, we see the band create a track that gives a vision of what may happen when entering the arena of this band’s live show. Let’s say the visions show blood and broken bones! It stands alone on the album with something else to offer fans of more intricate guitar work and vocal force, as it brings home everything that we know and love from these musicians and their continuous contributions to the music we love.
We come to the record’s penultimate and title track “The Reprobate”. The song opens with a noticeable Morbid Angel influence in the guitars and drums, but as we continue we hear the band bring something very atmospheric and dark into what is being played. If that wasn’t enough we are gifted with a very haunting solo which brings every part of this song together in a way that is sinister and very demented… but really what else would we expect from the masters of this musical force? This track in itself is everything that this record is: fast, slow, melodic and – more importantly – vicious.
We end the album on the track “Nightwalkers”. Opening hard and with no mercy it ends the record on a brutal note, giving to the fans a taste of pure extremity that shows no end in sight. The feeling you get from this is one of wanting more.
The Reprobate is out today
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