EP Review: The Hallowed Catharsis – Killowner (Lacerated Enemy Records)

The Hallowed Catharsis is a 5-piece progressive/technical death metal outfit from Vancouver BC, founded in 2013. On June 2nd 2020, the band will release Killowner, their follow up to Solar Cremation (2017) and their recent single, “The Gaia Expulsion” (2019).

Killowner tells the desperate story of the end of life for a mutated human pet of an elitist extraterrestrial master after she has lost her merit and attempts at having her breed prove futile.

The odd guitars and rolling drum taps that begin Abduction Sequence don’t set a good impression. You might be wondering what on earth you’re listening to as it’s certainly not metal but don’t make a snap judgement, The Hallowed Catharsis are just setting the scene.

Abruptly and unexpectedly, the band make a sharp and jerky shift towards a much more elaborate death metal sound. Suddenly the ears are flooded with ferocious and technical riffing, brutal guttural vocals and a thick, sinewy percussion section.

With no track going over the 3-minute mark and only one (the final title track) going over the 2-and-a-half-minute mark, Killowner really is a sharp shock to the system. The Hallowed Catharsis blasting out a handful of malevolent mind-melting technical death metal blows. 15 minutes of viciousness.

The Hallowed Catharsis – Killowner Full Track Listing:

1. Abduction Sequence
2. Forced Mutation
3. Breeding Pits
4. Swap Meat
5. Strays
6. Killowner

Links

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