7th July 2023

Review: “Claustrophobe” by Widow’s Peak

For some things seemingly happen over night while for others, they take their time to get it right, plotting, scheming and re-drawing the blueprints until the sound they create has matched or improved upon their vision of what they want to sound like. In step Calgary residents Widow’s Peak, a Progressive Technical Death Metal operation in existence since 2018, who have waited five long years to give us their debut album “Claustrophobe“. Mixed and mastered by Colin Marston (Gorguts, Atheist, Artificial Brain), it finds vocalist Travis Godin, bassist Alyxx Frayne, drummer Patricio C. Paulsen and axe wielding duo Chris McCrimmon and Mack Shaw finally ready to disturb the peace…

…and disturb would be the perfect description of the slightly unnerving siren’s call that is introduction piece “Blood On The Breath“. It borrows some percussive ideas from Ethnic Metal acts, the likes of Concrete Age or Soulfly before the album title track takes hold as something of a violent awakening. Chaotic riffs and odd time signature laden rhythmic patters scatter the gathered crowd quickly as the band throw their bullets in the fire and run like hell. Godin makes good use of pitching to control the angle of his vocal attack, giving the impression of two vocalists as opposed to one, the breathing control he demonstrates impressive as he shoehorns in a lot of vocals into small spaces. “Implements Of Hell” keeps the energy levels blistering high as flames reach new heights, the dexterity of some of the fretboard work a whole new level of performance sure to require calloused hands to play. “The Worming Hour” has a few Chris Fronzak styled “hopped up” vocal moments but wins out with the incredible polyrhythmic flow that combines Progressive and Death schools of Metal in the finest possible way with tapping sections that beggar belief. Punishing and yet equally rewarding “Monochrome” has haunting moments of melody wrapped tight in bloodstained bandages with frenetic, frenzied guitar attacks that swarm like plague flies. The creativity of this is astounding, the band opening a box of tricks and unleashing each one in turn, not stopping for a second to muse on the impact but instead racing to the next without pausing for breath.

The classic solo at the start of “Pillars Of Failure” is something Obscura would be proud, swiftly followed by the punch of a bass solo as Widow’s Peak dial up the intensity. It’s clear that a lot of work has gone into writing the record, getting the balances right and ensuring it flows really well, each intricate or atmospheric moment building on the last to create something that is a genre powerhouse. The bastard child of “The End Of All Things To Come” era Mudvayne and First Fragment, there are plenty of mind warping moments that cross sub-genres with giant death defying leaps, “Charlatans Of Industry” being a prime example. A pinch of Death Groove, the bounce of Polyrhythms and oceans of complexity, all that is missing is a little DJent or a Deathcore breakdown. Not that it’s needed because there is so much going on already that a little more might overload the wagon and cause the wheels to fall off. “Thrombosis” then punches hard with Godin sounding schizophrenic before a harsh spoken word passage and some alien sounds leave you wondering what exactly you’ve just heard.

It’s actually something of a false ending that gives a few seconds breathing space for the flamboyance of “Aorta” to shine. The band have a few eclectic ideas, bringing in some tribal sounds and a fellowship of mellowship for a mid track meandering that is warm and inviting while taking you completely out of your comfort zone. That builds nicely into a Progressive solo with what sounds like a ukulele before swinging back to the punchy groove of the bands core sound for a final verse that cracks a smile. Not daring to repeat the pattern, “Vena Cava” instead goes straight for the jugular, taking the bands more traditional approach and asking the opposition if they have what it takes to match their offering. We’ll tell you simply, they don’t, especially when it comes to the stunning cascading solo on this one which is mouth watering to say the very least. Returning to the earlier meanderings that combine melody and almost tribal rhythms “When The Last Leaf Wilts” takes that to another realm of existence with a playfulness that others would no doubt avoid for fear of sounding unfocused. Here the result is something spellbinding and different that holds the attention, a vital expression of the multifaceted music that lurks beneath the surface of what Widow’s Peak have of offer. The only question is will they be able to keep up this level of complexity and vibrancy next time around [9/10]

Track Listing