Album Review: Ingested – The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams (Metal Blade Records)

On a creative tear in recent times, top tier UK death metal band Ingested are back with a brand-new full-length album called ‘The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams’. It will be released on April 5th, 2024, via Metal Blade Records.

Although it might be hard to believe, Ingested are in a much more upbeat mood on this record, especially when compared to the previous album, ‘Where Only God May Tread’. Though don’t get me wrong, this is still a brutally heavy release and features many-a-track with deep and robust meaning behind it. It just so happens that Ingested wanted to write something from a more positive mindset, and the end result is The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams.

I’m a big fan of this band, their brand of brutal death metal is wickedly infectious, and they always seem to deliver the nastiest and heaviest of sounds. Vocalist Jason Evans has the nickname of the ‘Slam King’ for a reason, and alongside guitarist Sean Hynes and drummer Lyn Jeffs, he delivers an Ingested record that doesn’t push many boundaries, but still delivers meaty and manic delights.

That being said, there is experimentation here, and one of the more interesting aspects to this album is the cinematic touch that certain tracks have.

As notable as that is though, we’re all here to get our heads crushed and our minds f**ked. Which begins with earnest on the crushing Paragon of Purity. The riffs, the vocals, those bloody drums… chances are, like me, you’ll be all in on this release already. Especially when the breakdown hits. Although that is something you best get used to as this album features a ton of breakdowns that make what other bands are doing seem childish.

Breathless. It will leave you feeling breathless, and then along comes Endless Machine and Where No Light Shines to leave you gasping for air. I already told you that a positive mindset hasn’t changed the Ingested sound of savagery, and these first three tracks are the proof.

Expect to Fail is another absolute banger, and features Sylosis’ Josh Middleton helping turn heavier music into a cacophony of ruthless speed and groove. Remember what I said about breakdowns? Then along comes Starve the Fire and Numinous, the former slowing the tempo down, delivering some of the darkest sounding riffs, and having just a touch of clean backing vocals. Whereas the latter is a great example of the aforementioned cinematic experimentation that exists on this album. Instrumental, it has lovely sounding melody that gets more layered as it goes on. Around the halfway point, it explodes, becoming more epic sounding, resulting in something so memorable.

It’s back to the no-nonsense approach following that, as In Nothingness brings forth some stompy slam groove, aided by Chimaira’s Mark Hunter. The clean singing on this track is a bit odd, but it still works as its such a monstrous effort overall.

There are so many highlights across the entire record, but one worth pointing out is the next track, Pantheon. There may be nothing as fast as this on the entire record, Jason Evans is sounding so demonic, and the breakdown is filth. Yet, the most amazing thing about this track is the fact that it’s f**king catchy. Such is the Ingested way.

Which brings me to the end of the album and two more examples of this album’s wild brilliance. Kingdoms of Sand, a more traditionally old-school slab of horrible sounding death metal, and A Path Once Lost, Ingested at their most expansive sounding. This, the finale, might be the track that divides listeners the most, but everyone will agree that it’s a fascinating listen regardless.

Another Ingested album, another absolute banger. Never doubt this band, their talent and drive is second to none, and their peak seems to be never-ending.

Ingested – The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams Track Listing:

1. Paragon of Purity
2. Endless Machine
3. Where No Light Shines
4. Expect to Fail (feat. Josh Middleton of Sylosis)
5. Starve the Fire
6. Numinous
7. In Nothingness (feat. Mark Hunter of Chimaira)
8. Pantheon
9. Kingdoms of Sand
10. A Path Once Lost

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