Mélancolia – HissThroughRottenTeeth (Album Review)

Mélancolia – HissThroughRottenTeeth
Released: April 21st, 2023

Lineup

Alex Hill | Vocals
Joshua Taafe | Guitars
Billy Morris | Guitars
Mason Page | Drums

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Blackened deathcore band Mélancolia have had a remarkable start in the scene. After releasing the successful debut single 'Horror_Ethereal', they played a fantastic debut show opening for Thy Art Is Murder for their second Decade of Hate Melbourne show. This led to an explosion in popularity, which helped land signings with Greyscale Records (Australia/New Zealand) and Nuclear Blast Records (International). The impressive first impressions on the scene are set to continue with the release of Mélancolia's debut album HissThroughRottenTeeth. Will this release help the band retain its successful momentum? Read on to find out.

The first song on this record 'Horror_Ethereal' lives up to the title, by introducing us to Mélancolia with a hauntingly eerie atmospheric instrumental. Brutal drums and sick riffs are teased early on before the onslaught begins. Alex Hill's goblin-like vocals draw you into this powerhouse of a song, featuring plenty of instrumental progression and evolution throughout. I really enjoyed the minimal effects on the chorus' to elevate them, before the dark riffs kick in. The breakdown is as eerie as the intro, and the tone is set for a dark and dreary album.

'Dread Will Follow' opens up with some tough riffs courtesy of guitarists Joshua Taafe and Billy Morris before jumping into some more fundamental and tight deathcore. Fun rhythms and catchy licks continue as we get some more screams with some variety from Alex. Boldly delivering some deeper growls and gutturals, Alex continues the monstrous storyline of the album with a memorable chorus. A heavy breakdown ensues before we move on to 'GOD TONGUE'.

The vocalizations in the back of this song add a sense of scale, reminding me of the melodic deathcore champions that got me into this genre. The darker side of deathcore is paramount in this song, in the form of faster guitars before digging deep into chugging riffs and gutturals. I cannot help but snap my head thanks to drummer Mason Page's blast beats, helping to create a catchy and furious track.

'When Shovels Drag on Concrete' has a back-and-forth intro with some ominous feeling growls, that catapult into catchy beats. A cool structure change featuring an interlude, and some more concentrated and slower deathcore before hitting faster-paced territory helps this song to make a huge mark. Definitely up there as a favorite track of the year!

'The Hands That Tied The Noose' continues to showcase Alex's blood-curdling range of vocals in an epic track. The eerie effects play so well into the slow and menacing tones from Joshua and Billy. The dark, dreary, and almost threatening finale of this song commanded my attention before checking out the next track.

The latest single '[Inure]' threw me off guard with its foreboding introduction, projecting a sense of unease. I'm captivated by brutal screams before we get dark and gloomy with spooky whispers. Vocalization effects kept me hooked and on edge throughout the dreary choruses and uncompromisingly heavy instrumentals. This sinister album entry is another huge track that will stick with me for some time.

Echoing guitars and funky basslines were not on my bingo card for this album, yet this is how the title track 'HissThroughRottenTeeth' begins. This album is "a torturous tale of birth, life and death", and it was adamant throughout the soundscape of the title track that the slice regarding demise begins here. Something about the tragic-sounding effects, mixed with whispers and echoed guitars makes me feel the beginning of a torturous death.

'...a cold static eulogy' beats is a brutal finisher for a brutal album. This song is quite simply huge. Blast beats, catchy rhythms, fun solo-like sections, and impacting screams all combine masterfully. One last guitar outro and it's all over. Or so it seems. The cycle of life and death is one that repeats itself, and it seems like this album can effortlessly repeat itself too. '...a cold static eulogy' transitions beautifully back into 'Horror_Ethereal' so you can give Mélancolia's debut effort another spin.

I mean it when I say I cannot get enough of this album. Mélancolia's debut album HissThroughRottenTeeth is a masterpiece of an album that I believe will put the band in the forefront of any deathcore fan's mind for some time. The precise musicianship and powerful themes have expanded my listening unlike any other work in recent memory and I cannot wait until these guys are superstars among the greats of international deathcore.

Rating: 10/10
‍HissThroughRottenTeeth is out Friday, 21 April via Greyscale Records (Pre-Order here), and Nuclear Blast Records (Pre-Order here).
Review by Tyler Lubke