Up-and-coming death metal heavyweights Triverse Massacre have returned once more, with their newest release, Hades, out today. The Carlisle-based quintet have had quite a runaway success since the release of their debut EP, In The Jaws of Deceit, having both won the Carlisle Metal to the Masses competition in 2016 and played at Bloodstock, sharing the stage with heavy metal legends, such as Slayer and Behemoth.
We here at The Moshville Times have been lucky enough to take a sneak peek at the group’s upcoming EP, Hades, and you can take our word for it, Triverse Massacre have only improved their sound, with the new EP being even heavier and groovier than their previous releases.
The northern quintet have continued the same style of ‘groovy death metal’ from their previous releases, meaning that Hades, whilst being a death metal album through and through, is perhaps slightly easier on the ear than most releases are within the genre. The groove found within the tracks of Hades adds something of a level of accessibility for those uninitiated to the harsh brutality which most death metal albums offer. This is an important move made by Triverse Massacre, as all too often, death metal can come across as being “un-listenable” to those who cannot quite understand the intricacies of the genre.
This more groovy style of play can be attributed to the talent and skill of guitarists James Graham and Chris Kelsall. Perhaps the best example of this groove can be found within “Acheron”, a track where Graham and Kelsall spout some of the most intense, yet surprisingly catchy, death metal riffs on the EP. The duo are able to intertwine with one another, each guitarist complimenting the other, strengthening the track as a whole. The dynamic of Graham and Kelsall is found elsewhere in the EP also, as the second track, “Styx”, features the two playing together as one, producing a sound which manages to appear larger than it should be, almost overwhelming the listener.
A personal favourite of my own from the EP is the finale track “Phlegethon”, which acts as true demonstration of Triverse Massacre’s ability to work together as a group, each instrument meshing together seamlessly. The furious blastbeats from drummer Mike Collins keep the track alive, not allowing the momentum of “Phlegethon” to give for a single second, while Jason McEwan’s bass provides a deep undertone to match the blastbeats perfectly, the two mimicking each other’s pacing. The short change of tempo towards the middle of the track is a stand-out moment within the EP as a whole, thanks to the harsh, guttural screams of vocalist Liam Stark. Stark’s voice dominates the track at this point, as the rest of the band play in short, quick bursts, further emphasising the total control Stark’s voice has over not only the track, but the listener too.
Truly a band to keep your eye, and ears, on, Triverse Massacre are one of the best up-and-coming death metal bands within Britain at the moment, and their Hades EP only goes to prove this point.
Hades is released Friday the 26th of May and is available here.
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