Album Review: Burial In The Sky – The Consumed Self (Rising Nemesis Records)

Established progressive/technical death metal outfit Burial In The Sky will release their third album, The Consumed Self. Out August 13th via Rising Nemesis Records. It is the follow-up to the group’s well-received 2018 sophomore album, Creatio et Hominus.

Active since 2013, the Philadelphia-based group has kept a steady pace on record and live over the years. With each new release, refining and expanding their wide-ranging take on progressive/technical death metal. This time around, the addition of new second guitarist Brad Hettinger, further contributions around from several members, and an impressive array of eclectic guest musician spots helps elevate The Consumed Self.

Burial In The Sky says:

The Consumed Self is inspired by some of the great dystopian fantasies of the past. We wanted to create a world that felt real and tangible. With that, the music had to be digestible and convey a wide array of emotions. This took a lot of growth for us to accomplish. We had to become better musicians and storytellers to create The Consumed Self.

A progressive and technical masterpiece that has Burial in the Sky crafting a world and then dropping the listener in it, to marvel at the sights and sounds. When it comes to story-telling, this album is perfect. When it comes to the music, it comes mightily close too.

Combining stunning melodies with hard-hitting heaviness, a drive to push the boundaries of metal and a sharp technicality that really comes through strongly. Ten bangers that are imaginative, wild and melodious. One minute you’ll find yourself taken back by the shifting beauty of a mellow and morose segment. Then in another, you’ll find yourself caught up in a whirlwind of crunchy and chunky heaviness. Then in another, you’ll find yourself shocked to hear a smoky sounding saxophone or keyboard-led atmosphere.

It’s stunning and each track brings something new to the forefront to be impressed with. All while the band keep the aggressive layer of metal ever clear and present. Tracks like On Wings of Providence, Wayfarer and the two parts of Mountains (To Ascend and Empathy) need to be heard.

However, the single most impressive track is also the finale one. Called Anatomy of Us, it is everything great about this album and Burial in the Sky rolled into an epic 12+ minutes. Transcendent beauty, crushing heaviness, unstoppable technicality and the ever-present feeling that this story has reached its end in the most satisfying way possible,

There’s no doubt about it. An album of the year contender.

Burial In the Sky – The Consumed Self Full Track Listing:

1. The Soft Violet Light
2. An Orphaned City
3. On Wings Of Providence
4. Amaurosis Shroud
5. Wayfarer
6. Mechanisms of Loneliness
7. Mountains Pt.1: To Ascend
8. Mountains Pt.2: Empathy
9. Caught In The Azure Cradle
10. Anatomy Of Us

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