Review: “Epiphany” by Burn Down Eden

“With the Epiphany EP, we pick up right where we left off with the Dismal EP released earlier this year. The technical and musical level is higher than ever. Epiphany has the same overall dark vibe as Dismal, but with a slightly brighter touch to it, which is why these specific five songs were chosen to be on this second EP. Together, the two EPs result in the desired full-length album. Once Epiphany drops in full on Dec 6th, you’ll finally be able to listen to it as a full-length album, which was the way we originally envisioned. It feels like one thrilling flow from start to finish or you can listen to both EPs back to back. It doesn’t matter! In the end, what you’re having is a cauldron full of technical Death Metal riffs, neoclassical shredding, exotic scales, clever harmonies, groovy headbangers, lethal high-speed blasts and atmospheric counterpoint Black Metal layers garnished with lyrics that show the ugly face of humanity. That’s what BURN DOWN EDEN is all about!” ~ Burn Down Eden

German Death Metal machine Burn Down Eden have been nothing if not prolific over the past few years, following 2021’s self titled third album with a trio of back to back EPs. As they explain, the April released EP “Dismal” (which is anything but) is the first half of a full length album with “Epiphany” the second; what they miss off is that the pair will be an album in the later physical releases albeit with the tracks in a different order. While their reputation precedes them, if you haven’t heard of them before the outfit call themselves Melodic Death Metal but in truth are far heavier with Blackened Death Metal perhaps more appropriate. As a band, they muse on themes of criticism of humanity and society, religious hypocrisy, human disorder and depression and have been making noise under the name since 2014 with drummer Warni Warneke joining in 2023 for this album cycle.

A rapid technical helter-skelter riff and furious kit work ushers in “Epistrophy“, a cut which takes it title from the repetition of a word or expression at the end of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect. Think “of the people, by the people, for the people” from The Gettysburg Address by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln delivered during the American Civil War and you get the idea. Its a prime example of the lyrical depth that vocalist Pether Hantsche brings to the table but the key is that it is only there if you want it. Unlike some other bands, you don’t have to take a magnifying glass to the lyric sheet if you don’t wish to. You can simply enjoy the frenetic riffs as they fly in all directions from William Deacon-Säck and Tom Noack. Both riff merchants are in equally as devastating form with the savage “Fake News For Breakfast“, a face melting Death Thrash solo that ends on a whammy bar drop being an exquisite example of the damage they can do. When they’re not ripping through the fretboard smouldering riffage that is.

Death growls reach a new low as “Tears Of Persephone” bursts into life, the rich melodies of the leads stunning as the percussion pummels your cerebral cortex into submission. There are some hints at At The Gates being an influence in the guitar work as this scathing attack plays out, the vocals as harsh as those leads are lush, the two combined nothing short of mesmerising. Escaping the self titled track on a self titled album inception level madness “Burn Down Eden” as a song appears three years after the fact, as rampaging affair which plays out at the tempo of the damned. Leaving scorched earth in its wake, the riffs are majestic once more but we should also give a lot of credit to the powerhouse rhythm section and bassist Marco Schütze. If it wasn’t for their incredible work, this brutal criticism of humanity’s actions wouldn’t be possible. Once again restless and relentless “Suckbox” goes from a spark to a towering inferno in a fraction of a second. Full fat, high caffeine and all sugar, this heavy end Melodic Death Metal cut is a savage assault on the senses with a blistering solo straight out of the Trivium playbook. Slick but not over polished, this record is very much the perfect partner for “Dismal” so its very much a full length for vinyl [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Epistrophy
2. Fake News For Breakfast
3. Tears Of Persephone
4. Burn Down Eden
5. Suckbox

“Epiphany” by Burn Down Eden is out 6th December 2024 via Seek & Strike Records