Review: “In Darkness Our Roots Will Rot” by Cassetta

Known for their blend of raw aggression, haunting introspection, chaotic energy and guttural emotion, Californian Metallic Hardcore supergroup Cassetta put themselves on the map in 2023 with “Swallow the Sun“. Having parted ways with with Suicide Silence drummer Alex Lopez after their last single “Picking Scabs” the band, as you can never have enough musicians with prior convictions, now only feature both current and former members of Pressure Cracks, Scars of Tomorrow, The Keeper and The Arson Choir. Once again self-produced in house by the five piece and mixed by Jeff Dunne (Knocked Loose, Ice Nine Kills, Emmure), EP “In Darkness Our Roots Will Rot“ is wrapped in artwork by Maciej Kamuda as inevitably a new dawn, a new day and a new chapter begins…

The thing about prior convictions is that they have a tendency to give you an idea of what a band might sound like in advance of hearing them and with Cassetta while those entice, this band is without a shadow of a doubt one with a far heavier sound. If anyone thought that the departure of Lopez would mean the band would tone it down a couple of notches then… lets put it this way… the intensity of this new record burns like wire. A blood and thunder opening sonic abrasion “Azrael” reaches and touches the void into Deathcore territory with consummate ease with a barrage of percussion and barrel rolls of crushing guitars hitting in waves. They accompany vocals which are not only fierce but blood thirsty and the result is the push that makes you want to move in the mosh pit. Wasting no time on atmosphere or build up “Eschar” goes straight for the jugular, the pick slide in the first half an adrenaline rush moment during galloping drums and brutal roars. The beauty of this one is that there is a haunting undertone in the second half before the pulverising grand finale so you get a little more emotive energy with the blunt force trauma laden aggression. Restless and relentless from the first second title track “In Darkness Our Roots Will Rot” hits like a pallet of breeze blocks to the head, dropped from a crane as you walk across a building site. A false ending two thirds through is perfectly executed, a momentary pause in a savage beating. Curiously there are a few melodic nuances with some leads that feel like they have roots in Post-Hardcore crawling out in the final moments. It’s a nice touch that separates this band from the wolf pack at their heels. “We Are The Wounds” continues that narrative with a couple of moments of fleeting melody contained within the black beating heart of an otherwise savage assault on the senses. It’s pure cathartic release from deep rooted pain and it’s brutally brilliant [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Azrael
2. Eschar
3. In Darkness Our Roots Will Rot
4. We Are The Wounds

“In Darkness Our Roots Will Rot” by Cassetta is out 28th February 2025 and is available over at bandcamp