Review: “Following Omens” by Semper Acerbus

Produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Mora (Upon a Burning Body, Kingdom Collapse, Chimaira) at Warhorse Recordings in San Antonio Texas and adorned by artwork from Federico Bossinga (Dark Funeral, Dimmu Borgir, Oceano) at Abstract Chaos Design, “Following Omens” marks the return of American Metalcore outfit Semper Acerbus with a third album. Hailing from Del Rio Texas the band comprise Nelson Acerbus on vocals, Jaime Vargas on guitar, Joe Dragich on guitar, Sammy Farhat on bass with Tyler Thomas on drums and together their explorations of themes of isolation, addiction, vendettas, and death, religion and romance, omens and ghosts have taken them across both North and South America. Over the past seven years they’ve entertained crowds at the likes of The Blue Ridge Rock Fest, Full Terror Assault and The Colombia Tattoo Music Fest to name but a few as well as opening for Upon A Burning Body, Infected Rain and Soulfly all along the way…

While Semper Acerbus have Metalcore written on their genre toe tag in the morgue, it becomes pretty clear as “Suffering Awaits” unfurls its wings and takes to flight that there is far more to them than meets the ear. A Symphonic Death Metal track that sounds like its influenced by “Creatures” era Motionless In White, it has Gothic keys and punchy percussion wrapped in slick riffs that leave us one breakdown away from bordering on Deathcore. Acerbus offers no clean singing which is a big part of why the track hits so hard, not to mention some Technical moments in the riff department and an ocean of blast beats. The twist of the knife happens with “Unwanted“, the five piece offering up an almost Killswitch Engage inspired introduction before turning up the intensity with Groove Metal riffs. Fortunately when it does surface the clean vocal bridge into the breakdown section makes this one more of a sing-a-long rage anthem than anything else. That’s because the band wrap those lyrics in vibrant leads to bolster them, something that works incredibly well while ensuring that none of the momentum is lost. A melancholic introduction of icy keys and acoustic guitars gives “One Day At A Time” a haunting feel before stepping up into pummeling percussion and driving riffs, the clean chorus adding an emotive surge. The final third has section that borders on DJent to inject some serious bounce into the mosh pit and it has to be said that if there is one song that confirms that variety is indeed the spice of life on this album, then its this one. Coming full circle “The Gallows” has roots on 2003 era American Metalcore with a distinctive edge in razor sharp riffs, bringing the keys back in the second half to round out the sound by adding more depth and texture.

Splitting the album clean in half “Alluring Vendetta” is a sixty second instrumental palate cleanser of programming that feels like its been devised to allow the band a moment to towel down mid set. It doesn’t offer much in its own right but serves its purpose well by not destroying the atmosphere and momentum that the first half of the record has created. That means that the band can come out swinging with “Archangel” without the album feeling like it has a soft, squidgy middle. As a track, this one offers up technical leads and pulverizing rhythms, matched in intensity by the ferocity of the harsh vocal performance, admitting that nothing is ever going to change being the strongest sentiment. Keeping the home fires burning “Wounded” has aggressive Technical Metalcore riffs but crucially finds the band not afraid to inject moments of lush melody. The slick transitions between the melodic and the heavy are awe inspiring and utterly seamless, the result of years of dedication to craft which pays off handsomely. The key here is that the band don’t over use that power so their sound doesn’t become formulaic which is why “Torn Inside” uses a couple of delicate spoken word moments and even a sample alongside a vibrant solo to get the message across. Little details matter a lot, something that Semper Acerbus have a clear grasp of, which is why within these tracks there are nuances that rise to the surface over repeated listens that make it more rewarding. Ensuring that the album has no cringe worthy ballad moment “District Coward” is an angry anthem of a death note with more stunning lead guitars and a thunderous almost down tempo passage. An album that is instantly appealing in familiarity and yet has plenty to offer of its own, this one will keep you coming back for more with the band demonstrating wonderful musicianship and song craft throughout [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Suffering Awaits
2. Unwanted
3. One Day At A Time
4. The Gallows
5. Alluring Vendetta
6. Archangel
7. Wounded
8. Torn Inside
9. District Coward

“Following Omens” by Semper Acerbus is out 9th January 2026 via Eclipse Records