Review WHITECHAPEL “Hymns of Dissonance”

Knoxville, Tennessee based deathcore enthusiasts Whitechapel launch their ninth longplayer with “Hymns of Dissonance”. Four years after the release of “Kin”, the band returns with a brutal piece of music.

“Hymns of Dissonance” contains ten songs, each of which is among the most aggressive deathcore songs the band has released to date. It was the intention of the band from the beginning to make “Hymns of Dissonance” a brutal sound metal record and the band succeeded with a title that speaks for itself. The tension between “hymn” and “dissonance” is obvious. While the former stands for melody and harmony, the latter part of the title represents the opposite. It is the evil and disharmonic side and it feels like this tension is a fuel for the album.

The album begins with “Prisoner 666”. The opener starts with an oppressive intro that slowly grows and it’s a massive riff that ends the gloomy calmness. “Prisoner 666” is a ferocious start to the album and sets the tone for the release, which also includes “A Visceral Retch”. The song is the lead single of the album and already shows what to expect from this longplayer. Massive riff attacks and frantic vocals make the song a brutal deathcore experience. With well-placed breaks the song also changes patterns without compromising on heaviness. The slower, riff-dominated middle section is one of those bulldozer moments that fascinates.

To ensure a good flow, Whitechapel placed an interlude called “Ex Infernis” in the middle of the album. It is a nightmarish moment on the album. The dystopian vibe that comes with it reflects the basic vibe of the album before “Hate Cult Ritual” is the next merciless eruption of the album.

The record also follows a certain storyline with a cultist gathering worthy people to follow his cult. It is an evil story with the music expressing the intensity of a lyrical concept that contains nothing nice and shiny.

What fits into this context is also the artwork, making “Hymns of Dissonance” a holistic experience for the fans. Rob Borbas created the artwork for the album based on an idea from guitarist Ben Savage. It is the mask of the cult leader and reflects the dark mood of the album. It also expresses something mysterious and leaves some questions to be answered by the songs.

“Hymns of Dissonance” is a brutal and menacing album. It contains songs that overrun you with freight train power and once you start listening to the album, there is no escape. So be prepared.