Review TRIBULATION ‘Hamartia’ (EP)

Swedish masters of darkness, Tribulation, worked on a new EP called ‘Hamartia’. It is the first release that features the band’s new guitarist Joseph Tholl. He replaced Jonathan Hultén who decided to focus on his solo career.

Although Tribulation started in the fields of Swedish death metal, the band added over time an extra portion of darkness to their mix. In addition, melodies always played an important part too and with the addition of Tholl, the band’s songwriting benefits from some extra creativity.

This four-track EP features well-crafted tunes of which one is a cover version. It starts though with the title track, a song that features all Tribulation trademarks. Melancholically singing guitars, heavy riffing and the raw vocals of Johannes Andersson are present right away. With a proper punch the song blasts out of the speakers and spreads its blackened wings.

‘Axis Mundi’ was unveiled already as a single and takes a similar direction as the opener. The song has a bit more depth compared to the title track and convinces with excellent songwriting. Tribulation shows a good level of versatility with a calm and venomous verse which leads to a highly energetic chorus.

A bit of a wave and gothic vibe unfolds with the beginning of ‘Hemoclysm’. The tune slowly builds up without losing the basic atmosphere of the first 1,5 minutes.

Now we get to the cover version. ‘Vengeance (The Path)’ from the legendary Blue Öyster Cult was Tribulation-alized. The Swedes don’t move too far away from the original and manage to put a layer of Tribulation-darkness to the song that original comes from the ‘Fire of Unknown Origin’ album. Especially the rougher vocals add an extra to the song and ‘Vengeance (The Path)’ is one of the better cover version and delight on this EP.

‘Hamartia’ will help to bridge the waiting time for a new album. It also shows that the band, with their new guitarist, is still able to write excellent and dark metal songs and while sticking to their trademark sound, the quartet has enough creativity to add slightly different twists to their hymns of darkness.