Written by: Nameless_N00b_89
From the land that birthed such metal heavies as Gaerea and Analepsy, death/doom newcomers Phenocryst erupted across the burgeoning Portuguese metal scene with 2021’s Explosions EP. And now they prepare to unleash their debut full-length Cremation Pyre on mankind. Sporting a sufficiently oozy band logo, a now revamped line-up, and a unique concept mainly dealing with themes of volcanology, Phenocryst further distance themselves from the maddening meat ‘n’ taters crowd by incorporating psychedelic elements into their sound. My cursory research revealed that phenocryst is a volcanological term representing a large crystal formation often found in magmatic rocks. The more I researched, the more I bought into the concept, agreeing that volcanoes rock. The question I have about Phenocryst is, do they? Erupticus, Deathicus, Doomicus.
Let me clarify: this is not melodic death metal. This is death metal with psychedelic, nay, I say melodic elements sprinkled throughout like so much Lawry’s® Seasoned Salt. If it’s warp speeds, blast beats, and tech guitar virtuosity you’re looking for, look elsewhere. Trading tank treads and battle swords for ‘a‘ā1 lava flows and pyroclastic snows, Phenocryst channels 90’s era Bolt Thrower (“Pinnacle of Death” and “Pyres of the Altar”) with devastating effect. Guitarists D.S. and Santana (no, not that one) converge to riff a path over igneous environs with cudgel-like brutality (“Astonishing Devastation”) and doomy, sludge-filled slides (“Embers of an Ancient Fire”) that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Crowbar platter. Phenocryst had me banging my head and breaking out my best stank face. They aren’t here to make friends. They’re here to liquefy humanity under a sulfurous, rock-filled river of molten death metal lava.
The skeletal frame to which all this guitar muscle clings is the fundamental backbone and source of Phenocryst’s power. Drummer Artur, who joined Santana in 2022, and bassist V.M. expertly anchor all the performances on Cremation Pyre with ferocity and brute strength. V.M.’s bass work, distinctly audible throughout, plucks and plops (“Pinnacle of Death”) and gurgles and glops (“Astonishing Devastation” and “Pyres of the Altar”) like magma pooling under the earth’s surface. I imagine Jo Bench sitting in some English pub right now, smiling. Artur’s massive yet workmanlike performance behind the kit never once risks letting things get out of control, balancing perfectly between power and restraint. D.S., who handles all vocals, must have graduated magna cum laude from Death Vox University, with a major in Karl Willets growls (“Pinnacle of Death” and “Volcanic Winter”), and a minor in Martin Van Drunen’s rasps (“Astonishing Devastation”). His ferocity, though unvaried, ties the entire package together, placing Phenocryst firmly on Portugal’s metal map.
With Cremation Pyre, Phenocryst has improved in almost every category from Explosions. Even the album cover, a beautifully rendered oil painting by James Campbell is more engaging than the monochrome cover of the EP. Fernando Matias’ work from the booth propels the band to achieve its gargantuan sound. Where Explosions was claustrophobic, muddy, and cavernous sounding, Cremation Pyre’s dynamic master allows each instrument to occupy its own space while simultaneously combining to form a vibrant, warm-sounding whole. Small as it may be, the album is not without faults. At 39 minutes, Cremation Pyre suffers not from bloat but misplaced interludes. The awkward addition of the outro on “Astonishing Devastation” confuses and confirms the bit would have been better excised. More egregiously, the album might have ended spectacularly with the rumbling, eruptive outro of “Fogo Nas Entranhas.”2 But, the two-minute atmospheric “Burial Swamps” fades in and then out again, negating what could have been Cremation Pyre’s triumphant conclusion.
My n00b crown weighs heavy as I wrestle with scoring Cremation Pyre. Preparing this first foray into the fray, I realized at one point I’d stopped listening to form a critique and started listening from enjoyment.3 I’d hoped my first assignment would be something I could comfortably pan, but Cremation Pyre is not that, and it’s hard for me to attach too many demerits to its few missteps. It’s a powerfully heavy debut that demands serious attention, and I urge you to check it out. One day, if I somehow survive the gauntlet and ascend to the rank of staff, I’ll reflect on this review and decide if I am right.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Blood Harvest Records | Bandcamp
Websites: phenocryst.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/phenocryst
Releases Worldwide: August 30th, 2024
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