Album Review: Mélancolia – HissThroughRottenTeeth (Greyscale Records / Nuclear Blast Records)

‘HissThroughRottenTeeth’ is the debut album by Melbourne blackened-deathcore group Mélancolia, out Friday April 21st via Greyscale Records & Nuclear Blast Records.

Immersing listeners in a torturous tale of birth, life and death, ‘HissThroughRottenTeeth’ follows a fallen deity, cast down from a godly realm and met with the punishment of reincarnating as a human with a wealth of knowledge yet stripped entirely of power. The album traverses different stages of the deity’s miserable existence, doomed to repeat a painful cycle for all of eternity.

Cosmic savagery and celestial horror given a sharp taste of reality through the medium of Mélancolia’s manic and measured deathcore. On the one hand, we have a imagination capturing concept (although it’s not necessarily a concept album per se), and on the other hand we have eight brutish beasts to head-bang and circle pit too. HissThroughRottenTeeth can be enjoyed for both in equal measures.

Especially as Mélancolia can be quite imaginative when it comes to their brand of deathcore. Willing to imbue atmosphere and betray traditional structures to give their sound a fresher feel. All while being stupidly heavy and insanely aggressive.

The intent is still rooted in deathcore and there’s no confusing Mélancolia’s sound overall. Yet, this is an inspired debut, that if you didn’t know, you could confuse for being a fourth or fifth release from a band well-travelled and way more experienced. Such is the talent that exists within their ranks. Both instrumentally and vocally, in brutish harmony.

There isn’t a track that is found lacking throughout, nor a story beat that doesn’t keep you enthralled. In fact, if there’s one major complaint about HissThroughRottenTeeth, it is that it feels too short. Absurd really as each of the eight tracks are detailed and expansive. It’s just that it’s such an addictive listen that you’re automatically left wanting more. As far as making an impression, it is mission accomplished for Mélancolia.

Yet, you can tell, they’re only getting started and the future surrounding this band is going to be very exciting. Keep a very close eye on them, they’re going to be massive.

Mélancolia – HissThroughRottenTeeth Track Listing:

1. Horror_Ethereal
2. Dread Will Follow
3. GOD TONGUE
4. When Shovels Drag on Concrete
5. The Hands That Tied the Noose
6. [Inure]
7. HissThroughRottenTeeth
8. …a cold static eulogy

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