It doesn’t matter if you are not into Deathcore; Signs Of The Swarm’s new album Amongst The Low & The Empty is insanely brutal from start to finish and you should take the time to listen to it. The moment I started playing this album I was instantly pleased with how hard and heavy it came out the gate. The title track Amongst The Low & The Empty instantly put a smile on my face, The way these riffs hit will have you banging your head till you can’t feel your neckbones and have to get re-adjusted at the chiropractor; the drum technicality on this track is second to none.
As if that wasn’t enough, Tower of Torso continues the onslaught of sonically brutal riffage, hitting you fast and breaking you down slow. Clear your bedroom floor (or not, up to you), because you will be starting your own most pit destroying everything you own.
What I like about Pray for Death is how the sound of the heartbeat syncs with your own heartbeat and prepares you for the attack to come: Cleverly executed blast beats with clockwork guitar riffs, mixed with very technical riffs and vocals that would scare you if you weren’t a seasoned fan of the genre.
Borrowed Time starts out quiet, as if you are listening to the song though an old school rotary phone; Which had me turn the volume up. A trick of the trade I am sure, because when the song kicks in for real, your volume is at the right level to thoroughly enjoy the harshness of what’s to follow. I love it when bands do that! The breakdown on this song is as if the band is winding up to assault your emotions once again with quick double bass cannon fire lock step with intricate riffs and ending with a subtle laugh.
As the eeriness sets in for a moment and builds up to a reverberated growl soapbox rant, the chaos doesn’t stop when the full fury of Between Fire & Stone is unleashed. More of that oh so brutal deathcore flavor you want over and over again is yours to savor again and again.
The song name Shackles Like Talons had me thinking of the deeper meaning of the song title, while clean guitars and tribal esque drums played; It was a very brief and welcomed rest from the intensity of the previous tracks, it wasn’t long before the blast beats and overall musical genius came back to remind me that there is no real rest on this album.
Dreamkiller starts as if you were dreaming peacefully only to be suddenly ripped from your slumber where your dream turns into your nightmare this song continues the pace and aggression of the album adding some beautiful notes and technicality.
Matt Heafy of Trivium fame contributes beautifully to The Witch Beckons, Damn this song is brutal! I’m gonna leave it at that.
Echelon has some intense build ups, slow downs, very driving focused attacks and overall mayhem; with some very nice cymbal work. The vocals are blistering and strategically placed to have you singing along.
Faces Without Names starts out with a very alien abduction feeling opening riff, fast double bass into more of what makes Signs Of The Swarm the ultimate Deathcore band. The ending made me feel like I was at a techno club made for metalhead. The intricacy and musicianship of this track is phenomenal.
Prior to reviewing this album, the only song from Signs Of The Swarm I had previously heard was Malady. I really fell in love with this song, the traditional Death Metal riffs on this track were well placed and well timed; while including a modern feel making it their own. A worthy closing track that gives the listener satisfaction that they completed an epic journey.
I am completely impressed with this album and it will not be leaving my tape deck anytime soon.
What more can I say other than, The Low & The Empty is Deathcore at its absolute Finest!
Album Drops July 28th 2023 Via Century Media
Listen to the Album on SPOTIFY
