Album Review: Spite – New World Killer (Rise Records)

Southern California quintet Spite are back with their savage new album, ‘New World Killer’. It arrives October 31st via Rise Records.

If you thought that Spite had already hit a heavy high, you’re in for one hell of a shock when you hear this new album. An album with a bite as bad as the bark, it’s the sound of a rabid band embracing the groove, while keeping the blackened deathcore fundamentals of their music prevalent. The result is a ten-track beast of a record that shows off an incredible amount of progression. Spite we’re so good already, but this record is even mightier.

WELCOME TO THE DISASTER!!

It’s an absolute crunching start with The Disaster, Spite laying down the heavy marker with a ferocious effort that delivers thick riffs, savage drumbeats, and snarling vocals. All of which would be enough to be notable, except that it’s also a track with groove and I love the outro (one for the Riz Ortolani fans).

I was sold already, and then they hit us with Gavel. A track that has this fun Slipknot-esque intro, switches to be something more akin to traditional death, before evolving into slamming deathcore psychopathy. They hit us with a nu-infused head banger called Lights Out, which is Spite in an experimental mood. Before nailing minds and souls to the wall with the meaty mania of Shallow and the brooding and brutalising sound of Shedding Skin. Each as unforgiving as the other, in the best way possible.

Does that make sense? It hardly matters as most will be far too busy head banging, circle pitting, and crowd killing to be thinking too hard about this record. Though that’s not to suggest that it’s ‘meat and potatoes’ metal, as Spite have plenty of inventive moments, technical flourishes, and varied switches. It’s what keeps the album so compelling as the second half delivers even more unrelenting delights. Pledge burns brightly with furious blackened fire, Hand of the Reaper is capable of rendering souls from bodies with its energised industrialised touches, Servants of Chaos’ blend of death, core, thrash, and black is eye-watering stuff (anyone else getting a touch of Slayer here?), and Looking Glass’ guest feature is inspired, breakdown and all. Once again, the word ‘mighty’ comes to mind.

Because that is what Spite have delivered here. A mighty metal record that showcases the best of the band, and then some. Inventive, while not being polarising, and addictive, while still being undeniably savage. The title track caps off a thrilling experience, and unsurprisingly, it freaking slays.

Spite – New World Killer Track Listing

1. The Disaster
2. Gavel
3. Lights Out
4. Shallow
5. Shedding Skin
6. Pledge
7. Hand of the Reaper
8. Servant of Chaos
9. Looking Glass (feat. Boundaries)
10. New World Killer

Links

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