Based in North Carolina USA, Wretched are a fast paced band with more than an extra trick or two up their sleeve. Their latest release, Beyond The Gate is a logical progression forward from their first album, Exodus of Autonomy, which came out back in 2009. And this new outing is worth paying attention to, even for the most hardened listeners of death/ metalcore music.
The Conceptual Nature of Beyond The Gate
Beyond The Gate is based upon an arcane fantasy story conjured up by Wretched vocalist Billy Powers, and tells the tale of multidimensional travel and the turbulent misadventures of an alchemist named Sylvester. Creatively outlandish, the story sets the scene for a musical death metal journey, where otherworldly movements are infused with bone crunching heaviness.
The album begins as expected for the standards of modern day death metal. Punchy and thrashy riffs cycle mercilessly from one to the next, displaying the immaculate talent of this relatively new quintet right from the outset. And each tune is loaded with a quick and satisfyingly heavy fortitude that’s impossible not to be impressed by.
The opening track, Birthing Sloth, and powerhouse number Cimmerian Shamballa prove in particular how Wretched draw influence from only the best that technical-death has to offer. Relentlessly air-tight drumming, undeniably cool eerie lead guitars, and remarkably clever guitar scales take precedence, drawing listeners in straight from the first few seconds of their running time.
Extra Additions to Wretched’s Metal
But it isn’t until roughly halfway into this record that Beyond The Gate truly comes into it’s own, introducing orchestral interludes- courtesy of the University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra- epic instrumentals, vocal and Indian sitar harmonies, and sublime melodies.
Particularly in the back to back tracks, Aberration and title song Beyond The Gate, viewers are treated to something bolder than the average metalcore fanfare, and this album’s fictional concept is clearly brought forth through the music. Wretched’s mission in their newest release seems to be in creating something highly memorable and this album absolves itself of dullness in every respect, taking listeners on a journey, the outcome of which is excitingly difficult predict on first exposure.
Beyond the gate is 12 tracks of interesting, heart racing and exciting metal that should be noted by any newcomers to the scene, showing that, even in the most niche based conventions of heavy music, there is still a surprising amount of depth and imagination to be explored.
Ashley Jacob - I'm 28 and currently residing in Bath, England with my son Caleb and my girlfriend Julie. Since my days of childhood, music and elaborate ...
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