By: Mark Ambrose
Album Type: Full-length
Date Released: 7/07/2017
Label: STB Records |
Primitive Violence Records
From the eerie, ambient opening to the final crescendo, “Strike the Sun” is a rare “all killer, no filler” beast of a record. By crafting a truly timeless album, Shroud Eater have managed to distinguish themselves as one of the noteworthy purveyors of American metal.
1. Smokeless Fire
2. Iron Mountain
3. Awaken Assassin
4. Another Skin
5. Dream Flesh
6. It Walks Among
7. Unseen Hand
8. Futile Exile
The Review
With the deluge of heavy bands churning out
consistently crushing work, some stellar records manage to lurk at the edges of
my consciousness well past the initial release date. Shroud Eater’s second
full length, their first for STB Records, dropped
all the way back in July, but has garnered immediate, deserved praise. It’s a perfect summer selection: the
blistering heat and stifling humidity of the band’s home base – Miami, Florida
– practically pools around the speakers with every shredding riff and swinging
drum fill. But as the autumn days grow
colder in the northeast, “Strike the Sun”
reveals new, ominous facets. From the
eerie, ambient opening to the final crescendo, “Strike the Sun” is a rare “all killer, no filler” beast of a
record. By crafting a truly timeless
album, Shroud Eater have managed to distinguish themselves
as one of the noteworthy purveyors of American metal.
Intro track “Smokeless Fire” hints at Shroud Eater’s melodic
mysticism underlying Strike the Sun’s
crackling exterior: Valentine’s
ethereal vocals serve as a haunting prelude to the bashing Iron Mountain. Like a slightly less haggard Matt Pike, Jeannie Saiz’s vocals straddle distinct melody and hardcore
barks. Most improbably, Saiz’s lyrics are actually discernable
while being gritty – no mean feat among the standard death growlers and
shriekers glutting the metal market. “Awaken Assassin” may be my go to pick
for my “just listen to this one track and you’ll see what I’m talking about”
for Shroud Eater – both melodic and soaking in
sludge filth, it’s the sinister standout of the record.
Which isn’t to say “Strike the Sun” ever falters.
Instrumental cut “Another Skin”
showcases the band’s technical skill without being a pyrotechnic wank-fest,
while “Dream Flesh” evokes the
melodies and delicate vocal harmonies of “Smokeless
Fire”. “It Walks Among” lays waste to this brief reprieve, smashing the
band back into hellish crunch, highlighted by subtle guitar harmonies that are,
frankly, breathtaking. Davin Sosa’s drum work really shines in
“It Walks Among” and balances tribal
beats with complex fills in “Unseen Hand.” Album closer “Futile Exile” acts as a perfect bookend, encapsulating the
disparate, remarkable elements Shroud Eater wield so
well: intricate picking, smashing power chords complemented by crushing bass
tone, clean vocal harmonies and a menacing, croaked finale that feels
exhausting and empowering all at once.
