Review: “Rituals of a Dying Light” by Deadwood

While Deadwood may call themselves a Deathcore band in truth as anyone who has heard them will know, there is a missing word in that description, which is Technical. Put simply, Filion laces the target with stunning Technical Death Metal lead guitar work while the others pummel the discerning listener to death with their venomous onslaught as opening cut “Tales of Massacre” demonstrates perfectly. It’s a classic Purge style horror story that tears the mosh pit limb from limb in under three minutes because what is blood for, if not for shedding? Staccato riff breaks from the rhythm guitars add fuel to the fire as does the jackhammer footwork alongside the rumbling bass, all performed at an electric pace. Next up is “Heretic” which has some seriously eerie leads before reaching a bombastic first verse, the bloodcurdling roar of the song title one everyone can scream-a-long too. At points its like the band are the bastard sons of Meshuggah and Thy Art Is Murder because the ferocity and brutality is unmatched. The surprise in this one is a little programming followed by colossal downtempo breakdown both of embellish the track before the leads sweep back in triumphantly. Combinations and interplay are jaw dropping, the standard of musicianship is nothing short of immense.

Frantic and frenetic but with a sublime level of control “Thirst for Blood” captures the lands live energy perfectly, the sweeping Technical Death Metal inspired leads a serious touch of class that leaves the fretboard smoking in its wake. If there was a track designed for a giant circle pit at a festival that creates a dust devil of a tornado, then its this one, the blast beats from Lafrance and chugging rhythmic battery from the guitars and bass absolutely monstrous. The incredible thing about it is that there is still a melody underneath all of the crushing weight, not to mention the fact it could easily go on another verse and chorus without troubling anyone. “Whispers of Death” moves into DJent territory with evil laughter and some haunting harsh whispers in melodic breaks, the band stripping the leads to offer something a little more direct but just as lethally effective. Those leads are brought back for the grand finale that is “Echoes of the Fallen“, a sublime piece of Technical Death Metal executed with vim and vigor as the band flirt with something a little more avant-garde, the haunting final whisper of “I see you” sending a chill down the spine [9/10]

1. Tales of Massacre

2. Heretic

3. Thirst for Blood

4. Whispers of Death

5. Echoes of the Fallen