This is the fourth album from US death metal band Sallow Moth.
Sallow Moth play adventurous death metal that brings together elements of the technical, progressive, and brutal subgenres, (with dissonant and jazzy touches too). Brought to us by an ex-member of Cara Neir, Memorrhage, and Wildspeaker, Hydrophilous Brood contains 39 minutes of sci-fi extremity that’s sure to scratch multiple death metal itches at once.
The promo blurbs states that some of the prime influences of this band are Cephalic Carnage, Cynic, Deeds of Flesh, Mortal Decay, and Wormed. This should hopefully provide a decent starting point for Hydrophilous Brood; it’s barbaric and intelligent at the same time.
Hydrophilous Brood is a brutal beast of twisting technicality and snarling savagery. The songwriting is labyrinthine, and boasts the performances to match. Each track explores blistering complexity, supported by an army of guests, (including the Thætas bassist/vocalist). It’s an intricate, brutal journey, leading the listener down winding corridors of varying sizes and environmental conditions, while also assaulting them from all sides with moving blocks of wall and sharp prehensile spikes that shoot out of any given surface with serpentine speed.
The aggression is scathing, and the technicality withering, but Sallow Moth work with more than just this. Amidst the controlled chaos lie emotive and atmospheric aspects that elevate the material. Parts of the music – maybe a guitar part, a fleeting melody, an instrumental flair, background singing, emotive leads, or more – all add the Hydrophilous Brood‘s deeper appeal. Sallow Moth deal in style, but also substance.
With material as dense as this things could find themselves on the wrong side of mayhem very easily, but thankfully that doesn’t happen. Hydrophilous Brood offers a masterclass in chaotic restraint, of well-considered songcraft that delivers a superlative experience. Fans of bands such as Afterbirth, Artificial Brain, Cryptopsy, Decrepit Birth, Defeated Sanity, Retromorphosis, etc. should very much make note of what Sallow Moth have to offer.
Very highly recommended, very enjoyable, and a very satisfying listen.
Wonderbox Metal 