ALBUM REVIEW: Wode – Burn In Many Mirrors

British Black / Death Metallers WODE are back with their 3rd album, set for release via 20 Buck Spin on April 1st.

Churning forth a ruthless blend of deathly riffs and pounding drums, the sepulchral and punishing opus begins on top form. Tight instruments hook right into the flesh with memorable riffing from the off, packed with melody of subterranean qualities, aided by a whammy bomb assault and joined by some maniacally dark vocals, all punctuated by fearsome drumming. It seems Wode have incorporated more Death Metal into their Black Metal assault this time around, taking their atmospherics in a far more bestial and unwieldy direction, brilliantly so I might add. Serpentine guitar work akin to the Swedish Black Metal greats infuses the harrowing morbidity with a palpable and pungent concoction of intoxicating evil while the malicious violence does not subside whatsoever. Thus far, the new Wode seems like we are in for a formidable journey of total darkness.

Cascades of expansive guitars crawl atop each other in a display of chaotic aggression that is captivating to behold. The versatility of the drummer really aids this mystical yet barbaric fretwork and provides a perfect instrumental accompaniment to vocalists charnel howls and snarls. The feel of the music takes quite a few Death and Black Metal sounds under its leathery wings and combines them with refreshing ideas to offer an opus of volatile and unpredictable yet catchy, gripping Extreme Metal fury that I believe most fans of heavy music, especially of a ritualistic disposition will be enticed by. Plentiful headbanging grooves give a traditionally likeable trait to the abyssal soundscapes and make it clear that Wode are not limited or boxed in by subgenres, playing to the old ways of pure Metal might without regarding stolen characteristics and imagery as a necessity to delivering a powerful opus.

This visceral spew of Black and Death Metal feels someone ancient and yet totally new, brutal and yet sparse and most of all has a unique atmosphere and untamed energy that make it a record that holds ones attention fully from start to end. These majestic tracks are strung together gloriously with a deep set savagery that does not expire even in the more atmospheric section, the persistent feeling of danger remains ever-present. Wode’s zeal for delivering devilish Extreme Metal without compromise or remorse is certainly admirable, moreover the execution leaves us with a truly killer album that is to my ear their strongest work to date. Interestingly we some creeping in of traditional Heavy Metal into the Black / Death annihilation which really adds to the memorability of the music (and reminds me to advise checking out Heavy Sentence and Aggressive Perfector whom both share musicians with Wode, both rule). This is not some repetitive slice of derivative material but a statement of urgency and diabolic intent, one that I am sure most who behold will look upon favourably as I have.

A crushing opus of Black / Death Metal magnificence that implores all seeking an expansive and atmospheric yet ferocious and pulverising listen to bask in the radiance of the latest offering from Wode. Astonishingly tight yet still blasphemous and resolutely dark, certainly a respectable and worthwhile offering indeed.