ALBUM REVIEW: Anthesis - "The Age of Self"

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 09/06/2017

Label: Ancient Temple Recordings|

Hibernation Release

 

This listeners favorite moments of the record consist of riffs, and this record is full of them. Perhaps the most devastating are at the end of “Shattering Into a Sea of Light”; a brain-melter that the listener is never able to fully wrap their head around.

“The Age of Self” CD//CS//DD//LP track lasting:

1. The Path to Enlightenment
2. False Content
3. Where's the Dignity?
4. Empty Vessels
5. Reunion
6. Pension Teeth
7. Abscent
8. Decay.Disgust
9. Shattered Into a Sea of Light
10. Silence is Solace
11. The Following

The Review:

The east coast sludge/grindcore titans return with “The Age of Self”, their first full length album in seven years. In that time between full lengths, the band has released a series of EP’s and splits that has morphed their sound from technical death metal, to a dirtier sounding style of sludge. The album opens with “Path to Enlightenment”; a filthy Eyehategod worship track that sets the tone for the album to come. The album rotates between a myriad of genres; the death metal/grindcore blasts of “False Content” and “Where’s the Dignity”, the sludgy “Empty Vessels” and “Reunion”, and the Cursed style hardcore of “Pension Teeth”. The album book marks well with “The Following”; a black metal tinged sludge track that plays off the same theme as the opening. This album, unlike many this year, feels like a complete work in of itself.

The albums best moments come through by the mixing and mastering of guitarist/ vocalist Scott Miller. All of the instrumentation is blended together seamlessly, and the most impactful moments of the record are able to shine through as needed. This listeners favorite moments consist of riffs, and this record is full of them. Perhaps the most devastating are at the end of “Shattering Into a Sea of Light”; a brain-melter that the listener is never able to fully wrap their head around.

All round then, if you enjoy sludge metal with a wide range of contrast, this album is for you. Pick up the record June 9th.

“The Age of Self” is available digitally to preorder/buy here, cassette hereand CD//LP here

FFO: Today is the Day, Unsane, KEN mode, The Chariot,

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook