The World Without Us – Body Forth
Release Date: 8th July 2022
Label: Self-Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Death Metal, Metalcore.
FFO: Mudvayne, The Contortionist, Dream Theater, Death.
Review By: Jason James
The explosion in Metal is worldwide. We all know this. Like so many places across the globe, the USA also has a lot to offer when it comes to new and exciting bands. Pennsylvania is going through its own renaissance at the moment and joining that eruption, hailing from Count West Chester, is The World Without Us, with their EP, Body Forth.
This release was recorded, mixed, and mastered by former Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Kevin Antreassian and has additional bass guitar writing on some tracks by Tyler Capone-Vitale of Cognitive, a band on Metal Blade Records. Having the likes of Burial In The Sky and Rivers of Nihil’s Zach Strouse on session bass can’t hurt if you’re looking for exposure. Completing the line-up are: Mario Paulo Canavarro on Vocals, Christopher Fenimore on Lead Guitar, James Sundwall on Rhythm Guitar and Drums by Stephen Campbell.
Body Forth has 4 hard-hitting tracks, serving as a savage taster of what could be to come. Track 1, Eden, is the first stiff jab of the combination. Mario’s clean, but powerful vocal cuts through the almost military march of the main body of the song, before the pace slows and the growling starts. The song switches between these two until the abrupt end. Track 2, Cult, is the body blow, carrying on the rib-crushing punishment. Track 3 is Weeds. This serves as the cross punch to the temple as the EP keeps you off-kilter before Track 4, Peril, rocks your chin with an uppercut from hell.
There is obviously no fun to be had getting knocked out, but the analogy is an indication of how hard these 4 tracks hit. This is an assured first foray for this band, who sound like they’ve been playing together for a decade or more. Everything on this release is as it should be. Stephen’s drums underpin and support Zach’s bass, which in turn are the perfect basis for the duelling guitars. Effortlessly surfing over the top of this ferocious ocean is the vocal, which then dives below the surface with a gravelly growl, before coming back to the surface to catch another wave.
If the assignment was to leave listeners clambering to hear more from these guys, then mission accomplished. Fans will be anxious to see what comes next, and I think there will be a few bands will need to step their game up or be left behind if new bands make this kind of impact.
(4.5 / 5)
