30th May 2023

Review: “The Dark Triad” by Strangle Wire (5th Anniversary)

The stench of burning flesh has hung heavily in the air since Belfast’s Strangle Wire appeared on the scene like the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Branding themselves Psychological Death Metal in reference to their abilities to conjure dark lyrical narratives on the human condition, the style of their 2022 offering “Shaped by Human Frailty” offers moments of razor wire Grindcore intertwined into crushing Death Groove and was very well received in these parts. So we return to the bands debut EP “The Dark Triad” for a fifth anniversary review on the back of the strength of that album because celebrating the victories is what we do…

A blunt force truma accompanied by a weighty psychological melodrama from the very start, the pummelling percussion and rumbling bass of the Strangle Wire sound is as devastating as any Death Metal band at the height of their game. A savage vocal performance on “The Games They Play” sets the tone, bring the lyrics into sharp focus with barbed Kerry King style riffs and a fleeting piece of lead work serving to create a statement piece of an opening cut before “The Narcissist” takes hold. A similarly controlled piece of sonic violence, this one has a little more staccato riff punch with aggressive Groove Metal tendencies that are designed to incite Mosh pit turbulence, while the chant-able chorus works incredible well. A tale of how ultimately the narcissist fools themselves, it’s one that you can feel the finger pointing at someone specific in frontman Peter Clarke’s mind. Neck snapping power is demonstrated with “Psychopathic Blue“, the psychological analysis of the lyrics flowing like blood from the veins before the gaping wounds are sealed by the searing death breath of Clarke’s caustic vocals ensures the victim of this crime against humanity doesn’t bleed out.

Blasting ignites the blue touch paper on “The Failure Exhibit“, a perfect example of the band in their absolute element, the riffs flying from Ross Duffy’s guitar like bolts of lightening which leave the fretboard smouldering with the intense heat he generates. Throwing fuel on the already raging inferno, “Through a Black Lens” increases the intensity of every element the band have in their sound, somehow finding them able to pull an extra five percent more energy out from nowhere with skull shattering effect. The American Death Metal influences are obvious, the sound the band have chosen to make the own harkening back to the golden age of the genre but with an improved production quality and distinctive musicanship, while a formula which finds the band closing out cuts with leads is followed in sumptuous fashion on this one. The pulverising “Den of Iniquity” brings things to a fitting conclusion with a barrage of groove laden mid tempo riffs delivered in spine juddering fashion. A meat tenderiser with a sinister undertone and a menacing edge, it’s one that you just want to bang your head to. All in all this one isn’t just a fine start to a career started in 2017 but one that stands the test of time being equally as listenable now as it was on the fateful day that was 30th May 2018 [7.5/10]