Review: “Will, Until Beauty” by Cariosus

“Will, Until Beauty is a thesis on mankind facing its shadow. It is the confrontation of one’s darkness that is necessary to find inner light. In this work, CARIOSUS navigates the modern psychic landscape that humanity finds itself in- rife with spiritual deprivation, manufactured morality, and performative righteousness that the weakest among us use to hide from our own inner abyss. For both the individual and society as a whole, it is a call to reconcile one’s soul in both light and darkness- to create a consolidated and objective view of Being that is the foundation of true virtue.” ~ Cariosus

A decade ago in Chicago Illinois a quartet of young whippersnappers started a Melodic Death Metal band called Cariosus running on lyrical themes of psychology and violence and shared stages with such household names as Allegaeon, Attack Attack and Psycroptic. They released a prized pair of EPs in 2015’s “Crime & Punishment” and 2017’s “Saturnine Depths” before disappearing off the radar seemingly never to seen again. Now in 2024 the band return as a duo with their original song writing partnership with vocalist and bass Alex Pfister joined by guitarist Kevin Kryszak and a debut full length album titled “Will, Until Beauty” mixed and mastered by Sam Bottner…

…No doubt a few song writing purists might register a complaint about the fact that there is no introduction to set the tone opening cut “The Narrow Path“. Instead the vocals begin in the very first second and don’t really let up until the final third when a flamboyant extended solo from Kryszak is nothing short of sublime and no doubt leaves the fretboard smouldering. That start may give a slightly disorientating feel, however there is no doubting the quality of the musicianship and a varied vocal of bark, bite and a couple of almost clean moments make for an adrenaline rush of a track. You can quite literary feel the heat of the pyrotechnics that should accompany the track in the live arena before it makes way for “Saturn Returns“, a cut which repeats the trick with vocals in a rap scream fashion going straight the the jugular. Flirting with Deathcore chugs as at rampages through the to another ripper of a solo in the centre, the staccato riff infestations raise the hairs on the back of the neck as the band make their presence felt with fire and fury. Good use of vocal layering adds an almost schizophrenic touch to “Apollo’s Lament” with a demonic unclean cut against one of a shriller kind to make it a real punishment beating. Once again the technical guitar work rises to the surface simply because its simply incredible. It’s clear that despite being a two piece currently, the band have recorded as if they are a four or possibly even five piece and imposed no limits or restrictions upon themselves, something which bodes well to taking these fascinating works live once more.

Keeping up the restless and relentless nature of their work “How the Flesh Knows” is the first track where you question whether they have a really good Death Metal drummer behind the kit or are using a very good drum machine. If it’s the later then the recording is certainly sympathetic enough that a musician could pick it up; some of the jackhammer footwork and blasting on this one may present a challenge. Another brute of a track, it has a cleverly worked false ending that takes us into downtempo territory for the repeated call of “Shriek my name!“. After that unstoppable first half “What Must Be Done” provides no respite as it plays out at the tempo of the damned with blackened leaning moments that have been well created to enhance the crushing atmospherics. It has to be said that Pfister and Kryszak have come a long way since the band was conceived as writers and the musicianship on this album is sublime. They haven’t experimented or second guessed themselves but instead had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve and created it, something which shines through in the quality of their work. They haven’t had to cut any corners or come up with any creative ways to do anything either.

“All Too Human” takes us into Progressive Metal territory with a vibrant melodic opening two minutes of extended introduction that confirms there is more to their capabilities than meets the eye, a slick transition into heavier sounds perfectly weighted. The ache of the cleaner vocal parts has a real grit and integrity to it, Pfister having an impressive vocal range and not being afraid to use it. A chilling opening to “Sword of Damocles” gives it the feel of a psychological horror film before the dynamic begins to build in sinister and menacing fashion. A punchy Deathcore overture, the jagged edges and spine juddering riffs are exactly what the edge of the seat was made for and in truth it could easily go on for another verse and chorus without outstaying its welcome. The longest cut on the record is saved for last but any hope you might have had for a tear jerking acoustic ballad can be kissed goodbye as “Heaven’s Portent” brings a chainsaw to a knife fight to ensure there is only one winner. A powerful statement of vicious intent, this one is laced with blasting and frenetic riffs galore before some well executed tempo changes enhance the madness. The breakdowns begin to pile up like bodies in the city morgue during a zombie apocalypse and you can’t help but want more… [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. The Narrow Path
2. Saturn Returns
3. Apollo’s Lament
4. How the Flesh Knows
5. What Must Be Done
6. All Too Human
7. Sword of Damocles
8. Heaven’s Portent

“Will, Until Beauty” by Cariosus is out 12th January 2024 and is available for pre-order over at bandcamp.