11th February 2024

Review: “Decay” by Debt Collector

Sometimes it’s all about being at the right place at the right time and back in November the first of a prize pair of singles were dropped by Sydney Nu-Deathcore operatives Debt Collector were placed firmly on our radar as ones to watch. The four piece are so fresh that they only made their live debut in December alongside Cage, The Weight Of Silence, Artifact, Loner and Two Faced, so for their debut EP they utilized the skills of Mackenzie Begg (Murkwood, Inertia, Aurateque) of MJB Audio. He not only produced but engineered, mixed and mastered while getting a co-writing credit for his assistance on this one with Chris Zagas providing suitably fitting artwork…

A galloping rampage through Death Metal riffs, the opening onslaught of “Oblivious Decay” sets the tone in blistering fashion, a welcome to the gates of hell with open arms from a demon set ablaze to burn for eternity in self immolation. The pulsating rhythmic drive of the introduction then makes way for the Deathcore sound as the opening verse hits like deep impact, a powerful scream-a-long chorus adding a real gloss. A harshly whispered mid cut verse is a sinister urge that sends a shiver down the spine, the band building back from it with a slick transition to full force with consummate ease. “Desolate Dweller” then gives us something with a little more brute force and punch, a guest vocal appearance from Blake Curby giving the depth and texture of something deeper and darker. The stompy groove finds Debt Collector in Dealer territory while the emotive qualities of an anguished screamed section between the lethal chorus is a real Chef’s Kiss moment. A little bass funk with early 90’s Nu-Metal flare? “Black Vein” has that in spades taking a leaf from the American scene and bands like Extortionist in the process. Rap screams that burst into Slam vocal moments are savage but this is so damn addictive that you’ll find it hard to put down. it has that certain something about it that makes it something of a guilty pleasure. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out “Worthless Suffering” comes crashing down like a grand piano falling from the 30th floor of a tower block to crush those on the pavement below. Chugging DJent fuelled riffs bleed into staccato infestations while the larynx threatening vocals drag the lake in search of blood and bone. The sheer power the band are able to generate from their rhythmic dynamic brings to mind Brand Of Sacrifice and the crushing dark atmospheric causes the ground to rumble beneath the feet. There’s no two ways about it, Debt Collector sound razor sharp, polished and nothing like a band as new at this game as they are. That’s testament to time spent at the grindstone in the rehearsal space nailing their sound and ensuring that there are no experiments or risks taken here. Whatever it is, Debt Collector have it. [8/10]

Track Listing