East Coast outfit Horrendous made a reputation for themselves with 2015’s Anareta, changing their simple dying steel method right into a progressive one. 2018’s Idol moved the needle ahead but it surely’s with fifth album Ontological Mysterium that Horrendous start to appreciate their true potential.

Horrendous’ core sound can greatest be summed up as a summation of influences from post-Non secular Therapeutic Dying, prog weirdos like King Crimson and Voivod, and Cynic. The quartet blends these sounds collectively in ways in which really feel easy and fascinating, from the breakneck heavy metal-esque opening to “Chrysopoeia (The Archaeology of Daybreak)” to the energizing instrumentation on “Cult of Shaad’oah.” Guitarists/vocalists Damian Herring and Matt Knox present why they’re top-of-the-line guitarist pairings in excessive steel right now, buying and selling off intricate sections and delivering diverse vocal methods all through the 9 songs that make up Ontological Mysterium.

Drummer Jamie Knox and bassist Alex Kulick deserve particular point out as effectively. Ontological Mysterium is the primary album that basically captures simply how a lot enjoyable Horrendous are dwell and a big a part of that comes from the intense and energetic rhythm part. Produced by Herring, who’s an completed engineer exterior of the band, Ontological Mysterium is a simple pay attention that retains the uncooked dying steel core and highlights the progressive options of the file.

Nothing on Ontological Mysterium doesn’t work. “Exeg(en)esis” makes use of an fascinating vocaloid filter and the tune feels much less associated than the others on the album, but it surely matches and options some pleasurable guitar taking part in. Such a sense is a testomony to how robust the songwriting is on the brand new file—”Exeg(en)esis” could be a crowning second or album centerpiece for a lot of lesser bands.

Whether or not it’s one thing within the Philadelphia water or only a mixture of songwriting chops and wonderful musical camaraderie, Horrendous have made top-of-the-line dying steel albums, not solely this 12 months however in latest reminiscence. Ontological Mysterium was price each little bit of the five-year wait and is undoubtedly a contemporary dying steel basic.

Horrendous’ Ontological Mysterium is out right now and obtainable wherever you get your music.