Gorebringer - Condemned To Suffer

U.K.’s Gorebringer wastes no time in delivering new music as they deliver their third full length album, “Condemned To Suffer” for 2024. The lineup is still the same with Stench still handling bass/ guitar duties, Carrion on drums, and Blood Worm on vocals, so the stability has continued since the last record in two years. The sound is still primarily Melodeath based on the vein of earlier In Flames and At the Gates but there is some progression heard as the band delves past the melodic solos and more into anthemic riffs such as that influenced by the likes of Amon Amarth (as heard on ‘Infernal Symphony’). The Black Metal elements have been expanded upon as well, delving into God Dethroned territory with the vocals and some of the riffs, so overall fans should expect a bit of progression compared to the last release.

Melody is still the focus for Gorebringer as they make the album a focus on riffs and vocals, but the production makes everything clearly heard. The Meloblack influences can be heard right out the gate with ‘Under the Full Moon…’ which sets the tone for the album being still fast and heavy, but those solos just rip from Stench while Blood Worm has a good balance of shrieks and growls. While a lack of keyboards throughout the album is a bit disappointing compared to the last, the focus and precision is much sharper in the instrumentation as Gorebringer try to define their sound more. Other tracks like ‘Ants’ are more in one’s face with a smattering of drums despite a slow build at first versus the anthemic build of ‘Infernal Symphony’ which is a bit of a chugger but incredibly catchy. The ‘chug’ tunes are a little less melodic and will appeal more to the fans of faster paced, pit driven tracks, but the solos always keep the Melodeath/ Meloblack core intact without letting the band stray too much into ‘generic Death Metal’ territory. Gorebringer was never really one to lean towards a sound like Cannibal Corpse or Morbid Angel and while some traces of their music is in there, overall the band’s approach was more for earworm solos and riffs as opposed to full bludgeoning force with guttural vocals all the way. The approach is more ‘user friendly’ to appeal to those who might not be used to the Melodeath or Meloblack genre, so they are a good ‘gateway band.’

For a balanced, pounding track ‘Lady Midday’ stomps without mercy, but like ‘Infernal Symphony’ the catchy drive especially from the drums really helps this track stand out among the guitars and vocals and hones in on the (early) In Flames or Amon Amarth side of Melodeath. A bit slower as it is quite mid paced versus fast, what helps this song deliver along with the drums is the solos. Beautiful and haunting, they are also lengthier than usual, delving away from the dual vocals and letting the instrumentation take most of the lead for once. This doesn’t mean they’ve softened up though, and those who don’t like slow but really want to hear the drums more will really enjoy the closing ‘Embodiment of Aggression’ as it hammers along with the vocals also coming along for the ride while the riffs blaze along, but without so much melodic force. Overall, “Condemned To Suffer” is a natural progression for Gorebringer still full of melody and ferocity with touches in Meloblack along with Melodeath with little to dislike or room for error. The songs are longer than usual but overly long, so the 8 tracks do not feel like anyone is being cheated of time. This will appeal to fans of the band in general or newer fans who like more of the late 90s or early 2000 focused artists found on labels like Nuclear Blast or Century Media.

4 / 5 STARS