Review: “Invisible Threads” by Across The Swarm

“We wanted to capture the essence of the shadows that dwell within each of us. The composition of Invisible Threads was a brutal and visceral process. Every note, every word is an invisible thread connecting these shadows to the reality around us. Additionally, SNEM was fully involved in the creative process, visually translating the album’s concept into artwork that amplifies and reflects both the music and the lyrics. This album is an invitation to confront your innermost self and dive deep, all the way to the bottom.” ~ Francesco A. Flagiello, vocals

Delving into the darkest depths of existence, exploring human degradation, unspoken fears and wars that ravage both bodies and minds, “Invisible Threads” is a sophomore album that fans of Italian Death Metal beasts Across The Swarm have waited five long years for. Their debut “Projections” is a critically acclaimed affair but in truth this album almost feels like a fresh start because so much time has passed. Not that you can blame the quintet for that, the world turned and left them to the four winds of plague and the fact they have survived is a miracle in itself. A new drummer graces the stool in Davide Tomadini (Abscendent, Brvmak, Grevia) this being his first recorded work despite being in the band since 2021…

Eerie programmed introduction piece “Intravenous​” sends a shiver down the spine with a hint of disorientation before the body slam that is “Vertebrae” takes hold, a pummelling opening track proper that bursts into Death Groove at the mid section. Influences from the American scene and bands like Misery Index and Lamb Of God rise to the fore, Davide Tomadini having been given the perfect drum sound for this kind of sonic abrasion. Guitarists Marco Lambertini and Luca Sammartino who have been partners in cryptic writing crime since 2002 in Lacerated keep the riffs slowing into conjoined twin “Every Day Is Like A Stab In The Chest“, a track that also has an impressive bass solo from Mirco Diana. The abundance of groove over these sub four minute cuts means the band don’t need to add any other elements to get their message across, which Flagiello does with his fierce vocal performances. He is the manifestation of a wrathful God, throwing lightening bolts at all those who would dare question him. Blast beats from the first second make “Nothing Left” a true sonic assault on the senses that hits like a blunt force trauma to the skull, the rampaging guitars raising the hairs on the back of the neck during the adrenaline rush. The death growls from Flagiello on this one are phenomenal and in all honesty, the violent turbulence is over far to quickly. Continuing the reign of terror in adrenalized, high energy Death Groove, “Red Waters” finds the band landing another cut like a laser guided missile on its target. An earworm main riff as addictive as Skull Crusher coffee is nailed to perfection, dragging the dead from their graves and organising a wall of death on first listen.

No one, not even Megadeth fans want an acoustic power ballad in the centre of an album and thankfully Across The Swarm pass up the opportunity here. Instead they go straight for the jugular once again with “Scava Veloce“, a track which broadsides the discerning listener like an eighteen wheeler smashing through a mini van on the freeway. Spine juddering riffs rain down like boiling oil over battlements in medieval times, the restless and relentless kit performance from Davide Tomadini confirming why they chose him to replace Riccardo Grechi in 2021. Keeping the punches coming thick and fast “Dry Eyes” is another savage slab of Death Groove that makes you want to move those dancing feet… or sway like a marionette while hold a bottle of your favourite poison. What’s clever about this one is that the quintet create a menacing and sinister atmosphere to underpin it all and that swirling dark energy hides a few nuances that burst out of the mix over multiple listens. That continues into the tornado of rhythmic thunder that is “Liquefy“, a lethal dose of Italian hatred that ramps up the beats per minute to bring about an extinction level event. Another bass solo is sheer class, the rumblings at the low end so often left out in the sun to die in extreme heat in favour of more guitars in the mix. Vocally venomous “Until you Bleed” is a spitting, snarling affair that burns like wire, setting the standard for Death Groove in the process. Some of the lyrical narratives on the album border on psychological warfare and this one is no different, the barrage of unrelenting riffs making it an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Curiously the title track “Invisible Threads” is the closer, opening with blast beats and a bloodcurdling roar to continue the flow nicely. Forget your flaming virtuoso solo or haunting keyboard melody, the shadow of intent is buzzsaw riffs all day long in a demonstration of power and this record does exactly what it sets out to [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Intravenous​
2. Vertebrae
3. Every Day Is Like A Stab In The Chest
4. Nothing Left
5. Red Waters
6. Scava Veloce
7. Dry Eyes
8. Liquefy
9. Until You Bleed
10. Invisible Threads

“Invisible Threads” by Across The Swarm is out 21st February 2025 via Time To Kill Records and is available over at bandcamp.