Lorna Shore have become one of the most important bands in heavy music today. With their new album I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me, the New Jersey deathcore giants continue to push their sound into bigger, darker, and more emotional spaces. Following the success of 2022’s Pain Remains and the viral explosion of the …And I Return to Nothingness EP, many expected the band to simply repeat the formula. Instead, they’ve delivered something heavier, more personal, and more adventurous.
This record is not just brutality for the sake of it. The themes run deep, tackling subjects of loss, family struggles with dementia, and the weight of grief. At the same time, Lorna Shore aren’t afraid to step outside of their usual lyrical territory. On tracks like “Oblivion,” they even touch on broader societal issues, including climate change, showing a band willing to expand both musically and conceptually.
“Prison of Flesh” – The album opens with “Prison of Flesh,” a track that wastes no time in setting the tone. It combines everything fans love about Lorna Shore: relentless blast beats, sweeping orchestral passages, and harmonized guitars. The breakdown here is easily one of the heaviest of the year and serves as a showcase for frontman Will Ramos’ unmatched vocal range. It’s a jaw-dropping start.
“Oblivion” – “Oblivion” was the first single released from the record, and it bridges the sound fans know from Pain Remains with something new. While the sonic blueprint feels familiar, the lyrics show growth, addressing societal concerns such as climate change. It’s a bold move for a band often associated with personal or fantastical themes, and it works.
“In Darkness” – If “Prison of Flesh” is pure chaos, “In Darkness” is chaos with elegance. Opening with a haunting orchestral arrangement, it quickly turns into a full-force assault that feels like it was written to open live shows. A soaring guitar solo near the end stands out as one of the album’s most breathtaking moments, giving the track the feel of a spiritual sequel to the Pain Remains trilogy.
“Unbreakable” – Among the relentless heaviness, “Unbreakable” offers something different. It leans more into metalcore territory, with a chorus that feels designed to unite crowds. While it may not hit as hard as the other songs, its anthemic quality will make it a live favorite. It feels like a tribute to the fan base itself.
“Glenwood” & “Lionheart” – “Glenwood” nods to early In Flames with its opening screams and melodic leanings, almost teasing clean vocals before snapping back into brutality. It’s another track that carries echoes of Pain Remains. Immediately after, “Lionheart” kicks down the door with unrelenting fury. This one is guaranteed to open up circle pits wherever it’s played.
“Death Can Take Me” & “War Machine” – “Death Can Take Me” keeps the energy high, driven by the jaw-dropping drumming of Austin Archey, whose speed and precision confirm why many consider him the best drummer in metal right now. The breakdown here rivals that of “Prison of Flesh.” “War Machine,” on the other hand, brings a surprising twist. With riffs that recall the soundtracks of classic ’90s video games like Doom and Duke Nukem, it’s a nostalgic yet crushing moment on the album.
“A Nameless Hymn” – With a title like “A Nameless Hymn,” one might expect the most melodic track of the record. Instead, it’s another full-scale assault, showcasing Ramos’ ability to shift effortlessly between demonic growls and possessed shrieks.
“Forevermore” – Finally, “Forevermore” closes the record on a slightly looser grip. It still carries the weight and intensity of the album but gives the listener just enough space to breathe, making it a perfect closer both on record and in a live setting.
At 66 minutes, I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me is not an easy listen. It’s intense, emotional, and at times overwhelming. But within all the brutality, there is beauty—intricate melodies, carefully arranged orchestration, and musicianship that sets Lorna Shore apart from many of their peers. This is not just deathcore; it’s a carefully woven soundscape that rewards multiple listens.
In a genre that can sometimes feel oversaturated, Lorna Shore continue to stand out as leaders. They manage to create music that is refreshingly original while still unmistakably their own. With this album, they prove once again why they’re carrying the torch for modern extreme metal.
Score 9/10
Reviewed by: Dave Martin
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