Released by Nuclear Blast Records
Release date July 26th, 2019
Genre: Deathcore
Line Up:
Chris “CJ” McMahon – Vocals
Sean Delander – Guitars
Andy Marsh – Guitars
Kevin Butler – Bass
Lee Stanton – Drums, Percussions
Tracklist:
1. Human Target
2. New Gods
3. Dead Squad Anthem
4. Make America Hate Again
5. Eternal Suffering
6. Welcome Oblivion
7. Atonement
8. Voyeurs Into Death
9. Eye For An Eye
10. Chemical Christ
“Human Target” is the fifth studio effort of deathcore act Thy Art Is Murder via Nuclear Blast Records. The Australian quintet has already carved a trail of bloody mayhem since their inception more than a decade ago and has expressed their growing dissatisfaction to all aspects of modern life.
The band has created some solid deathcore songs that could distinguish them among the masses, but they have also shown that they might be still in search of a major maturity in their compositions to improve themselves professionally. The Australian band has proven to be trustworthy enough to reach the important target of album number five and “Human Target” shows that the group has the intention of moving into the same dimension as in the past. Despite the excellent production of Will Putney and great quality of the artwork by Eliran Kantor, the fresh ten tracks prove that the band prefers doing mostly what knows best. The title track gives the right pace to the record, with the already known brutal guitar riffs, the frenetic death metal style and the fierce interpretation of the lyrics. The bloody assault continues with the next couple of tunes, “New Gods” and “Dead Squad Anthem”.
Moreover, CJ McMahon proves to be in perfect knowledge of his abilities on the microphone and his contribution to creating the imponent songs is fundamental. Thy Art Is Murder destroy everything in their way and the listening continues without any major surprises or innovations. For what the lyrics are concerned, there are no particular changes to take under consideration, because the band still prefers to express their negativity for the political, social, religious and environmental aspects of contemporary life. Even though there are some death metal sounds in Lamb Of God style in songs like “Make America Hate Again” and some catchy riffs can be discovered through listening, the general icon of the record can’t be modified. Even if the mission is accomplished with the mighty “Atonement”, unfortunately, this record offers nothing new to the deathcore scene.
“Human Target” is an album where the Australian band has chosen to take the already known path of common deathcore compositions without any risks taken. In fact, accepting a new challenge in the prospect of a major evolution could be important, mostly when other representatives of the genre seem to have grown enough to reach a major success and have become accessible to a bigger audience.
Ratings: 6/10
Written by: Katerina Paisoglou
My Global Mind – Staff Writer