EP Review: Sulphur Sun – Placodermic Heraldry (Total Dissonance Worship)

On October 30th 2020, Bern, Switzerland-based dissonant/progressive death metal unit Sulphur Sun will release their upcoming EP, Placodermic Heraldry. It is the follow up to the group’s 2017 standalone single, Vitreous and 2013 debut EP, Bioluminescence.

Diving deep thematically into the times before humankind, Placodermic Heraldry posits a question of how much the existence of a species matters as oblivion seems inevitable. Even for apex predators.

Sulphur Sun had this to say about Placodermic Heraldry:

Placodermic Heraldry heralds the return of Sulphur Sun and is the direct successor to Vitreous. Two songs of bone-crushing progressive and weird death metal. The Temple of Dunkleosteus provides a short and unrelenting onslaught of placodermic annihilation, while Trilobite Thief meanders in chaotic and mesmerizing melodies towards utter oblivion. Thematically it provides escapism into a fairytale of armored fish and pelagic chaos.

It might only be two tracks long but damn, does Placodermic Heraldry leave an impact. The first offering, The Temple of Dunkleosteus is a technical death metal masterpiece. One with intense fury, bleeding darkness and befuddling structure. It’s safe to say there’s not been much like this for a while.

No matter where you think Sulphur Sun are heading musically, they will do something completely unexpected. Case in point, the second of the two tracks, Trilobite Thief. A monstrous offering of bludgeoning drums, razor sharp guitars and horrifying vocals that is like being caught in a whirlwind of death metal.

Brilliant.

Sulphur Sun – Placodermic Heraldry Full Track Listing:

1. The Temple of Dunkleosteus
2. Trilobite Thief

Links

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