Sunday, April 10, 2022

DOWNCROSS - Hexapoda Triumph review


 

DOWNCROSS - Hexapoda Triumph

Cavum Atrum Rex


Well whether you file this one under blackened thrash or black & roll, either way this band makes a helluva racket. What we have here is the fourth full length by Belarus duo DOWNCROSS. I'm just now learning about em. After blasting this release a few times I can say that even the two genre terms I've used starting out could be considered merely suggestions.


First off don't let the over two minute eerie synth laden intro fool you into thinking you're gonna be hit with techno experimental BM. The release gets into gear on the second track "Trumpets Salute the Demise of Death". From that point on you're either in for the ride or dragged kicking and screaming. Personally I like the former.


DOWNCROSS are just one of many Eastern European BM acts I've heard over the past five years who keep the genre interesting by injecting more traditional metal into their sound. But it doesn't take anything away from the whole BM formula. To me that's the most important part. On the whole this album is savage sounding BM but then the craziness gets added.


Musically the basics here are vocals, guitars and drums. The latter consists of some basic pounding, cool rolls and finding a way to keep up with the riffs. The vocals vary from caustic singing to violent screaming. In-between all of that the guitar work is all over the place. You get the savage BM riffs mixed with straight up rock riffs. Add to that there's tremolo picked soloing, harmonic melodies and yeah some thrashing. 


All in all Hexapoda Triumph is a pleasure to listen to. There's just so much going on in this band's songs that you really have to digest it all or go for just letting it blast in the background while you do horrible things. Either way this is excellent.


LISTEN HERE:

https://downcross.bandcamp.com/


No comments: