9th December 2023

Review: “Crawl To The Throne” by The Dialectic

Inking a deal in blood with Seek & Strike Records, March 2022 saw the return of Tyler Texas Deathcore heat bringers The Dialectic just 14 months after their disintegration with EP “A Falsehood Defined” ensuring the first decade of aggression was built upon. A new line up around original vocalist Mitch Howie ensured their presence was felt and decimated the weak once more with a wealth of shows including five dates with Upon A Burning Body and Left To Suffer. January saw return to the studio to record a follow up EP titled “Crawl To The Throne” with guitarist Josh McGuire, bassist Bobby Edwards and drummer Daniel Jones joining Howie.

While the last record had a few Groove Metal orientated moments, this one brings in a few Death Metal leads early as “Obey” finds The Dialectic at their menacing best with clear Thy Art Is Murder influences worn on their sleeves. Turning the dark and atmospheric screw the four piece fade off the heat for Howie to issue a warning in the form of a demonic god like spoken word. It’s pure evil, setting the tone for “Murder Machine” which absolutely slays. The leads in the opening moments raise the hairs on the back of the neck before the band go all out war, not afraid to stand their ground. Classic clanky bass and pulverising percussive battery drive things forward at breakneck pace, the riff that is wrapped around the chorus like a Boa Constrictor clearly designed to get the mosh pit going. That whirlwind continues into “Harvest The Young“, rampaging cut which sees Howie adopt a second shriller unclean voice to contrast his usual death growl. That gives a new texture and works incredibly well against the storm of nonstop Death Metal riffs drive it forward. What’s great about this one is that it’s not all just brutal onslaught, the band taking their time to inject some atmospherics that work incredibly well, particularly in fading out the cut. A meloncholic introduction to title track “Crawl To The Throne” falls away quickly to leave behind another bone crushing Death Groove styled affair, McGuire pulling out a tasteful solo. A powerful chorus is going to make for a solid live moment but this one actually feels like it’s cut short before it reaches its unnatural demise. What that does is setup the breakneck opening of “My Kindred“, a cut which roars to life before fleeting orchestrations give it the killer instinct. The earworm riffs are undeniable and it has to be said that the band are clearly leaving behind some of their Deathcore roots, Death Groove seemingly the direction of travel… and it’s goddamn electric! [7.5/10]