Insurmountable initial release date5/1/2023 ![]() ![]() The only real shortcoming is that the album increasingly builds momentum through each track and then just stops. After a catchy chorus, the track mellows out before coming back with a vengeance, and a symphonic element really helps set up an epic finale. The opening verses have a haunting quality with half spoken harsh vocals and slowly arpeggiated guitars which really set the mood. However, the title track, clocking in at over 9 minutes, is Insurmountable’s real showpiece. “United In Enmity” increases the prog factor due to some diverse drumming and an acoustic passage that opens up into some tasteful guitar work. “Dark Waters” has a Gojira feel at points (coughpickscrapescough) and has some killer riffs throughout. ![]() Opener “Fated To Despair” is pretty standard prog death with a pummelling double bass chorus. There are roughly 24 minutes of music spread across 4 tracks and Alustrium makes the most of that time. It’s hard to describe how those elements can sometimes come together to create something memorable but I know it when I hear it. There are still plenty of blast beats, double bass, chunky riffs, and harsh vocals to go around but there is an undercurrent of hookiness that feels increasingly relevant these days. They balance a merciless attack with just enough melodic components to bridge the gap to listeners such as myself. They are cut from a similar cloth as bands from the last decade like Slugdge, Black Crown Initiate, Rivers of Nihil. Insurmountable is the new EP (and first release since 2015) from Alustrium, a US-based progressive death metal band. But when it comes to quality brutality, I fall back to a know-it-when-I-see-it mentality. Things like excellent production, precise technical playing, catchy songwriting, and liberal use of progressive elements will attract my attention regardless of genre. Style: Progressive Death Metal, Tech Death (harsh vocals)Īs someone that prefers metal of the more melodic variety, I sometimes struggle to articulate exactly what draws me towards the heavier side of the spectrum. ![]()
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