Carrion Vael – Abhorrent Obsessions
Release Date: 12th August 2022
Label: Unique Leader Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Deathcore, Technical Death Metal.
FFO: The Devils of Loudun, Hollow World, The Odious Construct.
Review By: Ryan Payne
Carrion Vael have been around for over half a decade, with 2 albums already under the belt and now with the backing of Unique Leader Records, set out to release their 3rd album, “Abhorrent Obsessions”. The tech-death metallers from Richmond, Indiana have conjured an absolute mayhem of speed and brutality with this record, filled with the continued lyrical theme of serial killers and mass murderers from history.
Diving into this record, it’s very easy to see the appeal. The technical ability from all members throughout this record is a heavily desired attribute for any heavy music lover. The drums are a constant machine gun, firing away with no sign of stopping from start to finish on every track, leaving way for the absolute incredible musicianship from the guitarists and bassist. Every riff is just an absolute testament to the art, delivering an incredible display of skill and technicality, as well as perfectly executed harmonised riffs and crushing breakdowns that really bring the songs together. The songs throughout “Abhorrent Obsessions” bring a constant level of chaos and intensity but also a solid structure to the music, making it a very enjoyable album to listen through, especially as a musician.
The vocals on this album are another incredible element that make Carrion Vael worth your time. Travis Lawson Purcells vocal dynamic may not be the most diverse as most vocalists dominating the scene today, but he surely makes up for it with his crushing delivery and power. The speed and pronunciation on these tracks are absolutely incredible and a real eye-opener, mixed with the technique and the way his voice pierces through the onslaught makes him a force to be reckoned with.
My main problem with the record is that there’s nothing very particularly unique. I mean, the music and songs are definitely technical and very well put together; a very enjoyable album to listen through. But there isn’t anything that sets the songs apart. You can go into each song guaranteeing that what you’re going to hear is blast beats, crazy riffs, and that’s where the buck stops. These guys are incredibly talented, but they could do so much more with what they have. With other bands experimenting with other genres, tempo changes and other defining elements, it’s hard to see these guys making an impact in a constantly evolving scene. That being said, this album will be a huge hit to anyone who enjoys any of the aspects I mentioned above, as well as gain a lot of traction under their new label. I definitely enjoyed this album, and any musician or heavy music lover will certainly want to give Carrion Vael a listen. 
(3 / 5)
