8th November 2024

Review: “Broken Bonds” by Scale of Attrition

Emerging from the grimy depths of London’s Underground Metal scene, Scale of Attrition are a Melodic Death Metal entity to whom some will already be familiar. Formed of a collection of musicians who have already received critical acclaim for their prior convictions in Meridian Sun and Decades in the Shadows, the five piece have both lofty ambitions and ideas arguably above their stations. Citing inspiration in the likes of In Flames and Lamb of God, they offer a debut EP wrapped in stunning artwork from Thomas Lacey (Cower, Ghost of a Thousand) based on Gustave Doré’s “The Eagle” from “The Divine Comedy” by Dante. It serves as the perfect acknowledgement of their Death Metal roots and modern ambition, as does the fact that it was recorded and mixed by Jamie Elliott Field (Tubelord, Tall Ships) before being mastered by Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, At the Gates)…

…it doesn’t take long for the nostalgic appeal of the sound of Scale of Attrition to take hold of your heart and win over your mind. If you are a love of the 2003 era of American Metalcore that was heavily influenced by the Gothenburg sound then you’ll love what they have to offer. Listening to the first 30 seconds of “Broken Bonds” is very much like listening to something from “The Caitiff Choir” era It Dies Today, harsh unclean vocals wrapped in crunchy riffs with melodic leads elevating everything to a higher plane of existence. The drums gallop and the bass rumbles, the lack of any clean vocals ensuring there is no need for a slow down that sucks the energy out of the music for a chorus. A well placed false ending a third of the way through sets up a monstrous breakdown with an accompanying bloodcurdling scream before a melodic break with Post-Metal leaning atmospherics is nothing short of majestic. Chugged guitars then lead the way to a mosh pit friendly final third of presence and power that you’re not going to forget in a hurry. If evidence was needed that Scale of Attrition weren’t a one hit wonder then “Panacea” silences the critics immediately. A powerful 64 seconds of instrumental introduction captures the imagination before the vocals bark and bite once more, the sumptuous lead guitar work as stunning as the sun in the cover artwork. They grow in warmth as the track plays out, providing a lush texture to oppose the Groove Thrash orientated rhythmic power and thunderous percussive battery. As you would hope, these two tracks leave you holding out your begging bowl like Oliver Twist, asking for just a little more because their qualities leave you with a bloodlust like hunger [8.5/10]

Track Listing