Scordatura – Led Into Oblivion
Scordatura – Led Into Oblivion
Everlasting Spew Records
Release date: 19/06/ 26
Review by Oli Gonzalez
Scordatura. Noun. The technique of tuning a string instrument to a non-standard pitch. Or in this case, a Scottish death metal act. The name for the band being as descriptive as it is literal, given the punishing sound that’s taken them to festivals such as Bloodstock Open, Obscene Extreme, and as far as North America! They will add to this list with several slots on the UK independent circuit, including Bristol Extreme Fest, Offal Fest, and Mangata. Drawing on almost 20 years of experience, the band now understands who they are and what they want from their sound. The end product being their most refined and mature effort to date, without compromising that signature brutality.
Make no mistake, Scordatura are not here to play games! After a brief 40-second introduction, the album’s title track (and second track overall) ‘Led Into Oblivion’ asserts itself in muscular and bruising fashion! It’s chaotic, yet somehow there’s structure and order within this clusterfuck of a track. This energy continues into the next tracks and despite changes in dynamics and pace, the relentless intensity never lets up! Drummer Tam Moran must have steel ball bearings in his ankles to maintain such relentless precision whilst laying down the grooves at a sickening pace. Owen and Liam show phenomenal chemistry in both providing the crunching riffs and rhythmic support to proceedings, making you wonder how only two people can conjure up such a densely layered attack! One that somehow retains melody and does not resort to layers and layers of distortion and unrealistic drop tunings in a vain attempt to sound heavy. No, they retain sharp tones that retain clarity, allowing you to appreciate the ridiculously high standard of musicianship on display! Reminiscent of Origin or Cannibal Corpse. Whilst vocalist Daryl provides a consistently fierce vocal onslaught, comfortably sitting in a solid mid-range growl that retains diction and clarity.
Whilst “Led Into Oblivion” offers a refined and technical approach to death metal, there are occasional bursts when Scordatura simply opt to take the route one approach and lay down the hammer with brutal slams and drops. Just hope any of the festivals they’re playing this summer are ready for this!
Though for all the grotesque savagery on display, it can feel tricky to identify each song, as some get lost in the shuffle. ‘A Manic Indoctrination’ differentiates itself with its slow and bludgeoning opening, demonstrating Scordatura can be as devastating playing slower and nastier riffs, something I’d have like to have seen more of on this record. ‘Begging To Die’ also demonstrates they can operate way effectively when the focus is on solid grooves and rhythms, like in the outset of this song.
Make no mistake, though, Scordatura has made a statement with “Led Into Oblivion”. A fiercely underrated band, “Led Into Oblivion may well be a catalyst to propel them further and further into the upper echelons of the genre.
Track listing
- Doomed To Fate
- Led Into Oblivion
- Existential Termination
- Echoes Of A Fractured Mind
- Oppressed Repressed
- Towards The Harmony Hall
- A Manic Indoctrination
- Relati(Hate)
- Maw Of The Void
- Begging To Die
LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/Scordaturaofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/scordatura__/