Review: “To No Avail” by Xenith

In search of a sound that balances a Melodic Death Metal soul with the bite and aggression of Thrash, Xenith began their journey down the left hand path in November 2023 in the city of Manchester. April 2025 saw the arrival of a self titled debut EP however its creation wasn’t without pain as bassist Ben Krimson (No Hope Society, Tortured Demon) and drummer Ozzy Flockton exited stage left. Mastermind, founding member, guitarist and vocalist Billy Hourigan wasn’t about to let the dream die however and soon found new recruits with bassist Jamo Morris, drummer Karim Treifi (BloodSaw) and guitarist Casey Dennis (Pearlescent) joining the ranks. Over the next year the new line up would write and record a debut full length while breaking out from the rehearsal space to share stages with the likes of Hidden Intent, Evile and Visitor. Mixed and mastered by Cam Shuck (Sufferer, Insurrect, Slimelord) and adorned by artwork from Mark Erskine (Tortured Demon, Scordatura, Celestial Scourge) that debut full length album is “To No Avail“…

A haunting melodic passage of acoustic and electric guitars introduces the seven and a half minute magnum opus that is “Take Me Back Where I Belong“, creating an atmosphere of macabre darkness and melancholia. The mirror is shattered as the caustic vocals begin, the bands often cited influences in At The Gates and Opeth bleeding through the bandages but there are also shades of Trivium in the sonic abrasions as the quintet cross borders and boundaries between Melodic Death Metal, 2003 era American Metalcore and Thrash in one giant single death defying leap. The flamenco acoustic guitars that follow almost feel like a post-mortem, as they bridge to the rampaging riffs of “Alone“, a track which confirms the sublime musicianship on display is not simply a single moment of awe inspiring brilliance. The interplay between the guitars Hourigan and Dennis play with calloused hands is stunning with rich harmonies sliding into staccato riff breaks and then electrifying leads with consummate ease.

Entering Death Groove territory “Bludgeoned” slaps hard with a neck snapping main riff and pounding percussion, the lead guitars providing slivers of melody that flow into sublime virtuoso soloing, the roar of vocals those of man possessed. While not strictly necessary there is a little sonic break with a fleeting haunting melody which has vibes of the music box in a haunted house in a horror movie at the start of “Incite The Tragedy” before those acoustic guitar sounds transcend into the songs lead guitars. An eerie passage that raises the hairs on the back of the neck, its swiftly followed by more blood and thunder, the gritty lyrical narrative having that emotive quality that tells you it means more. The band aren’t afraid of extended instrumental passages either, embracing them with vim and vigour as they demonstrate their ability to keep you on the edge of your seat with stunning musicianship.

Maintaining the insane levels of quality “No Time To Waste” has yet more incredible soloing while also having an electrifying energy and dark atmosphere. Sometimes you listen to a record and you know that a band are going to squeeze another five or ten percent more energy from the songs when they perform them live but there isn’t a bat in hell’s chance of Xenith doing that. They’ve left it all on the studio floor, blood, sweat and tears, so the challenge will be matching those levels on stage. Instrumental interlude “Descending” is a glorious piece that arguably wouldn’t fit anywhere else on the record, offering a moment of clarity in reflection before the vice grip of “Killer Instinct” takes hold. Another cut that doesn’t start with an explosion and instead builds momentum in glorious fashion, it has some dirge laden moments as well as tinges of Black Metal influence that are simply awe inspiring, the death growl in the final moments a hitherto unheard moment of viciousness.

There is an almost country twang in the pomp and circumstance of “Arteries” that sets it apart from the wolf pack of the record in the same way as Devildriver did with “Outlaws ’til the End“. A high calibre offering that has the same energy as the other songs, it doesn’t deviate from the path too far but just enough to keep things interesting in a classy way. The Scandinavian roots shine through on “The Weight To Pretend” which, given the fierce vocal performance cut against the richness of the Melodic Death Metal soundscape could easily be the creation of any member of the Gothenburg scene. Vibrant leads hook you in, the hummable melodies becoming ear worms that simply will not leave and by the end if you’re not sold, then your nearest and dearest could well be disowning you. It’s that good. Once more with feeling? “Out Of Contempt” feels like the conjoined twin of its predecessor, the lead licks opening the floodgates for a lethal dose of rhythmic battery. The balance of the composition between the melodic and the heavy rests on a knife edge, the band demonstrating their capabilities as writers of supreme talent on this one [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Take Me Back Where I Belong
2. Alone
3. Bludgeoned
4. Incite The Tragedy
5. No Time To Waste
6. Descending
7. Killer Instinct
8. Arteries
9. The Weight To Pretend
10. Out Of Contempt

“To No Avail” by Xenith is out 28th August 2026 and is available over at bandcamp