Death/Gothic Metal
Century Media Records
Release Date April 7th 2023
Line Up:
Johannes Anderson – Bass/Vocals
Adam Zaars – Guitar
Joesph Tholl – Guitar
Oscar Leander – Drums
Tracklist:
1 – Hamartia
2 – Axis Mundi
3 – Hemoclysm
4 – Vengeance (The Pact) – Blue Oyster Cult cover
Tribulation started as an old-school death metal mob, but they have developed their sound into a melodic goth/death metal hybrid which sounds pretty cool. According to guitarist Adam Zaars this EP is a precursor to a full album soon, hopefully.
Depending on where you look for a translation for the word ‘hamartia’ it can mean a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero/heroine (Oxford English Dictionary) or in classic greet it means ‘to miss the mark’ but if you look to the New Testament it centers around sin.
Opening with the title track which is a wash with dark melodic guitars before the pounding rhythm starts and they’re off on a fantastic multi-metal ride. The only comparison I can make is Tau Cross with the heavy and melodic guitar lines, raw vocals rather than growled and boy do guitarists Zaars and new man Joseph Tholl play some superb fluid lines. ‘Axis Mundi’ is more of the same but a bit more traditional metal at the beginning then developing into something a whole lot darker with even more excellent axe work. These guys do know their way around a fretboard. More shimmering melodies start ‘Hemoclysm’ (a violent and bloody conflict or bloodbath) then it builds with Johannes Anderson’s bass and the tribal beat of Oscar Leander bringing it to a tale of war that is smothered with synths over the top. The final cut is a fabulous work of Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘Vengeance (The Pact)’ from their 1981 album ‘Fire Of Unknown Origin’. There was a fair amount of reluctance to complete the track but once the band heard Johannes’ clean vocal take, they were adamant it had to be included. It’s a fairly faithful rendition but given the Tribulation treatment, in my opinion, made a whole lot better.
Four tracks of absolute quality metal. It has hints and textures of death, a black and gothic metal which are full of catchy melodies and some quite excellent guitar work. Buy it, borrow it, steal it – this is an essential addition to any metalheads collection.
Score: 10/10
Reviewed by: Smudge
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