Metal comes in many forms. Some like it fast and thrashy. Some like it technical and complex. Some like it slow, full of breakdowns and pure anger. If you consider yourself to fall into the latter category, then Cabal are most definitely a band that you should familiarise yourself with. Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, they’ve been making very loud and sludgy waves for the last few years with a string of EP’s and crushing live performances. Blending together elements of deathcore, djent, black metal and death metal, their sound is unique with a sense of familiarity running through it. 2018 sees them unleash their new record Mark Of Rot, and they are undoubtedly picking up where they left off.
From beginning to end, Mark Of Rot keeps you on edge. From the erratic, meaty chugs and blood-curdling vocals to the haunting drones and teeth shattering drums, everything about this record reeks of evil. Tracks like False Light and Blackened Soil make it impossible to stay still whilst listening, both sounding like they get heavier and heavier as they progress. The latter features so many genre influences that there’s something to please everyone, from hardcore two-step sections to black metal tinged bridges. Rah’ru is a dark and foreboding belter, complete with eerie whispers, strings and choirs to cause you even further unease. Blinded is the musical equivalent of a flail, swinging in and out of a variety of paces and hitting hard with unexpected chugs and breakdowns. Nothingness begins with a church organ bellowing out before bursting straight into frantic blast beats, tip-toeing in and out of crushing slams and intense riffage like childs play. The entire record is an effortless and brutal display, easily combining a variety of sub-genres of metal to create one intense and completely disgusting noise. And, let me just make it clear, I mean disgusting in the best way possible.
This album is literally the aural version of a nightmare. It’s completely haunting and disturbing from the get go, and it doesn’t take it’s foot off the gas until the last note fades out. Picture a demon writing the soundtrack for a horror movie, and you’ll come close to figuring out how this sounds. It’s jumpy, it’s eerie, it’s gory, it’s full of unexpected twists; characteristically it ticks every box on the thriller flick checklist. The record features a couple of guest spots from some of the genre’s finest too, such as Thy Art Is Murder‘s CJ McMahon and Filip Danielsson of Humanity’s Last Breath. And let me tell you, their guest spots only heighten the levels of chaos that are already present on this record. If you aren’t already aware of this band, it’s time to get acquainted. Cabal are gonna be on the rise with Mark Of Rot, I’m sure of it. A seriously impressive, weighty, brutal and downright creepy full length. Listen to this record. If you dare…
No Comments