Mordkaul – Feeding The Machine
Release Date: 13th September 2024
Label: Massacre Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Swedeath, Death Metal, Blackened Death Metal.
FFO: At The Gates, Amon Amarth, Hypocrisy, Death, Entombed.
Review By: Rick Farley
Feeding the Machine was originally released as a one part EP in early 2023 with the second half being recorded later that year and the entire full length to be unleashed in 2024. I was able to review the EP upon its initial release and was excited to finally get my grubby little hands on the full complete album.
Feeding the Machine 1 was a 23-minute burst of Gothenburg inspired, chainsaw buzzing, swedeath loving, melodic death metal. High on groove, jagged guitars, and energetic pace, showing lots of promise for the future full length. As I already said in the review of the EP, Belgian death dealers Mordkaul really don’t bring anything new to the genre, but one thing is for sure, they most definitely know how to fit in. Strong on influence, but presented in a modern way that it’s not just the same ole thing, and is incredibly listenable. Tracks like In Dead Eyes and Welcome to the Sixth Stage of Grief are heavy as fuck, hitting with a groovy hammering straight to the side of the skull. Grimy guttural screams, powerful blast beats, swampy buzzsaw guitars and blackened nastiness are infectious to the ears and battering to the body.
Having heard the first part of Feeding The Machine already, I was eager to get straight into track six, Dead Heart Awake upon first listen to see exactly where the band was headed. With a minor variance in the tonal qualities of the guitars, the band shifts ever so slightly into a cleaner sound that is influenced more so by 90s American death metal. It doesn’t feel like a completely new sound or different album, but it’s a good contrast from the first half of the record and brings a fast-paced pit igniting intensity. Track seven however, They Burn has crunchy guitars, tribalistic drums and an airy, bouncy melody that is catchy but also different. Its slow building and atmospheric Sci-fi vibe freshen the band’s sound up just enough. The guitar melody is playful, with a more blackened quality from the flow of the first half of the album. Not a bad song by far, but the direction feels like it’s shifting. The rest of the second half of Feeding The Machine leans a tiny bit more toward the metalcore side of melodic death metal. It’s subtle, but I definitely notice it. That’s either a good or bad thing depending on the type of fan you are. Not really my thing, but it works well here in small doses. Track nine Hellspawn is a cross between At The Gates, Slayer, Amon Amarth and Hypocrisy, which are also represented in other parts of the record but really hit, to my ears at least, the hardest here. Closing track Passage to Oblivion is a cool but filler style instrumental. Jammed packed with wicked melodies and scorching leads, it still holds up, but I would prefer some vocals as well. That’s just me, though.
Overall, this is a solid record well worth your time that sometimes feels scattered, but is still heavy, groovy and enjoyable. Mordkaul are definitely heading in the right direction with the full release of Feeding The Machine, and I’ll gladly be there to see what’s next. Check it out.
(4 / 5)
