Album Review: Thoren – Gwarth II (Drylands Records)

Detroit-based instrumental progressive/technical death metal project Thoren, featuring current and former members of Imperial Triumphant and Pyrrhon, are proud to announce the release of their third full-length album, Gwarth II. The album is set for release on Friday, February 7th via Drylands Records. It is the follow up to Gwarth I, which was released in November of 2018. Gwarth II finishes out the culmination of several years spent crafting and recording 19 new songs of uncompromising darkness and instrumental mastery split up into an epic two-part album experience.

Ensuring that no-one can be confused of just what Thoren are and what they play, Gwarth as an opener is somewhat of a mess. A meshing of madness, instruments ripping and tearing each other to part where nothing makes sense. It’s insanity, as only tech metal can provide.

Chaos reigns throughout Gwarth II and any hope for sense is lost as Naeg is more of the same.

There’s a bit of more a discernible rhythm to Thaw Gur, although the drumming looks to undo that a lot of the time. Before Vex, Gorthad, Egladhtrim and Lithui give us short ear-bleeders that might be the best showcase of metal or the worst heard this year depending on taste. Jammed in between though is one of the better tracks, Raun Raeg which brings some genuinely thrilling metal to the table.

What is sure to be a divisive release doesn’t wander too far from expectations with Suith and Firen even if the off-key melody of the latter is a nice closer.

Thoren – Gwarth II Full Track Listing:

1. Gwarth
2. Naeg
3. Thaw Gur
4. Vex
5. Gorthad
6. Raun Raeg
7. Egladhrim
8. Lithui
9. Suith
10. Firen

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Drylands Records