Album Review: Beyond Extinction - Where They Gather
Reviewed by Tim Finch
There is a dark, foreboding, menacing sound emanating from the speakers. It’s not oppressive, nor brutal, more haunting and eerie, setting the scene for what is about to come.
This is ‘Bodies at The Gates’ the instrumental opening to Beyond Extinction’s debut full length album ‘Where They Gather’, released on September 26th. The band have been through adversity since their formation and the resulting trauma is laid bare on this album, which they introduce as “an invite for you to explore the final settlement of human life on earth, the future of our sprawling cities and urban decay. Visions of a metropolis pulling the life from its inhabitants, both parasite and host”.
As the album continues from the scene setting introduction the listener gets the full force of a band primed to tear them apart. Jasper Harmer’s guttural howls are layered perfectly over demonic riffs on the records' brutal title track, which is delivered with break neck speed and aggression.
Showing their ability to mix things up and ensuring they don’t get stuck in one stylistic rut, both ‘Traitors to the Ropes’ and ‘Tyranny’ slow the pace, yet the intensity remains. The former creating a haunting atmosphere whilst the latter - featuring guest Alex Teyen of Black Tongue - is barbarity in slow motion. Think deathcore meets sludge and you won’t be far off the mark.
‘Scorched Earth’ plays into the albums apocalyptic themes with a scene setting sample leading us into the lyrical content of death and destruction from tyrannical overlords.
The album oozes quality with every note, with every gut wrenching scream the listener can feel the effort that has gone into crafting it. So much modern deathcore feels rushed, thrown together, packing in extremities without any thought. This album breaks the mould. The craftsman ship shines through every element, from the riffs to the full composition and on to the lyrical story telling; this record stands out from the crowd.
If you only listen to one deathcore album this year, make it this one. Without a doubt a stand out record in the genre for 2025 and beyond.
