A Scar For The Wicked
Acolythus
Self Release
We love a concept album so when we got to sink our teeth into what is described as 9 tracks which embody the 9 sins of hell. That definitely piqued our interest. Right off the bat they come in all guns blazing, not something you would imagine listening to on a lazy Sunday afternoon but we digress.
A Scar For The Wicked delights, delving into the dark and grotesque, forging a brooding cinematic and colourful thematic creation. Opening with ‘Seven Wraiths’ they set the scene with haunting female vocals before they unleash their intense and guttural growls. What is most notable throughout all the tracks is the absolute expertise in delivery. It’s heavy while still haunting, brutal while maintaining some moments of beauty within the darkness. No one could argue that these guys aren’t incredibly talented musicians. If you enjoy the likes of Dimmu Borgir and particularly have a penchant for horror this is for you. Andre Dubiens ability to switch from growls to screaming vocals is impressive and at first you would be forgiven for thinking they were two different people.
‘Golden Touch Of Eternity’ literally sounds like opening the gates of hell but in the best possible way, of course. The guitar and drums set up this sense of doom before they unleash their deathly growl up on their listener. Title track ‘Acolythus’ features a piano intro which gives a slight moment of solace before delving back into their intense heaviness that embodies this album. Each song boasts a guitar solo and we particularly enjoyed the melodic solo on ‘Into A Coalescent Damnation’. Moments like these create a juxtaposition which we feel give welcomed moments of difference of the heavier elements which may meld some of the songs together for some listeners. ‘Sacrificial Damnation’ features some orchestral instruments which is one of the ‘beauty in the darkness’ moments. Overall this is a very well thought out and imaginative album and we can only envisage how well this will translate In front of a live audience.
A Scar For The Wicked – Facebook
Review by Aggy Gillon