Fit For An Autopsy – Oh What The Future Holds
Release Date: 14th January 2022
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
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Genre: Post-Deathcore
FFO: Thy Art Is Murder, Lorna Shore, Carnifex, Whitechapel.
Review By: Rick Farley
Honestly, what’s left to be said about New Jersey Deathcore heavyweights Fit For An Autopsy, they’ve been releasing top-notch albums since 2011 and have become one of the genre’s biggest bands. Always heavy, catchy and fearless, they’re becoming the standard for the evolution of Deathcore. Each new album progresses further than the last, revealing uncharted territory and soundscapes that make you wonder why other bands haven’t tried that sooner. Maybe it’s because Fit For An Autopsy is so much more than just Deathcore, and quite honestly they always have been. It may not be as prevalent on the first few albums, but you can revisit their catalogue and clearly see the progressive elements that helped separate them from other bands in this genre. Not to mention, Will’s high-level production keeps a certain unity within the bands catalogue.
Oh What The Future Holds marks the bands 6th full length and their most ambitious to date. Their meteoric rise has culminated into this stunning example of extreme music at its finest. This album should push them towards the forefront of all Metal. I hate to make the comparison because it’s been said so many times before, but this will be Fit For An Autopsy’s Fortitude (Gojira). Transcending the genre, it’s clean and polished, more mature, progressive and dare I say even more accessible than previous albums. Don’t be fooled though it’s still violent sounding, angry and heavy as hell. There’s no shortage of hardcore intensity, huge hooks, catchy melodies, or crushing breakdowns. Everything you love about FFAA is here. It still shares the same menacing and sometimes beautiful characteristics of all their albums, just with a more omnipresent passion and a cohesive, albeit brutal vision.
The songwriting is absolutely what makes this album so special. Each song meticulously crafted and razor sharp. Tracks like Pandora have the throttle starting at ten with old school style Deathcore riffs, into a slower Melodic Death Metal inspired chorus that shows the versatility of Joseph Badolato’s killer vocals. His delivery is a raspy, drawn-out growl that gives the chorus a completely different and distinctive vibe. The song gets airy and atmospheric, slowly building into what could be the sickest breakdown I’ve heard in a while. “All is calm but then comes the killing” comes though the speaker like a fucking savage. The riffs hit you like a hell bound semi-truck. If you don’t break something during this part, I’m questioning your Metal legitimacy.
The disparate Two Towers is also a standout track for me. It starts out with a bass heavy riff and airy guitar melodies, rhythmic drums and clean sung vocals. I can’t confirm this, but damn, this sounds like Chino singing. It only lasts for about a minute before it builds into a bouncy, groove laden guitar riff. It’s catchy as hell and has a cool tremolo picked melody underneath. A nasty bridge and breakdown flow into a beautiful solo and atmospheric outro with some clean sung melodies’ underneath. Joe sounds fantastic on this song; his growls are clear and brutal with distinctive individuality. Honestly, the vocals on the entire album are outstanding. So much anger and personality, He brings an intensity to his gutturals and screams that are next level.
Favourite track A Higher Level of Hate is just straight anger. A tribalistic drum pad pattern starts the song into a sick ascending/descending staccato riff that’s precise and sounds enraged. Start stop off beat style riffs and drums make the verse sound chaotic. Like all the kids are saying these days, “it’s a fucking banger.” Seriously though, it’s ominous and just plain nasty. Another favourite track, fittingly called Savages. This song is just brutal, fast and primal. Its thick, chunky guitars during the verse are like a gut punch that rattles your innards. Gang vocals during the chorus give it an earworm style fan pleasing war cry. An auditory assault from beginning to end. The drums kill on this one. Josean draws from so many influences, he has a unique flair and just crushes these songs.
There’s been three singles released, Far from Heaven, Pandora and In Shadows. All of which give a clear indicator to how diverse this record sounds. Incredible drumming, sick guttural vocals, neck snapping riffs and thoughtful solos combined with innovative elements of melody, atmosphere, dynamics and next level songwriting blended into a Post-Deathcore masterpiece.
Like many Metal genres things can get stale, as the number of bands increase, the music quality and originality decreases. It’s often hard to find the good stuff. Well, I can assure you that Fit For An Autopsy’s, Oh What The Future Holds is definitely the “good stuff.” It’s hard to articulate how good this album really is with simple words; I guess in a nutshell, if I may quote the kids once more, “it slaps!” Is that still a thing in 2022?
(5 / 5)
