Whitechapel Hymns In Dissonance CD Review

If you’ve landed on this article, then you know what’s up – you know that Whitechapel are a Death Metal/Deathcore band out of Tennessee. You also know that their music has never been for the faint at heart, not even when they softened up on some of their latest releases. Metal Blade Records has a knack for keeping bands like this in their stable…

I’ve never considered myself a fanatic of the band, this type of music just doesn’t get play from me every day – it takes a special breed of person to be able to listen to something so heavy daily. On the band’s new release, “Hymns in Dissonance” they up the ante and come with their most intense release yet, if you can even imagine the thought. This is their heaviest release since the debut album, maybe even heavier. It’s menacing, brutal and absolutely mean as hell! I’m not sure what brought this on, typically bands that soften their stance/approach to music tend to soften even more as the years roll by, this isn’t the case here at all. “Hymns In Dissonance” is the soundtrack to WWIII! Without rhyme or reason this new album is just pure chaos. I typically run from stuff like this, but I’m overcome from the viciousness within. The album is filled with “Core” which also isn’t a go to for me, I’ve never cared much for the breakdowns/formulaic approach that the genre leans into, but here you don’t know where or when it’s coming so it’s a surprise attack, which makes for a much better listen.

When I first listened to the lead single and title of the album on my phone, I didn’t care much for it, but I’m also not an idiot – phones and streaming rip the guts out of music like this, you can’t approach it without a proper stereo and expect to be impressed. Once I sat down with a legit stereo and dove into the album, I was impressed, frightened and shook the fuck up – this will thrill you or kill you. The talent, the anger, hatred and precision that Whitechapel exudes on this album is unbelievable. If you’re a fan of Death Metal, Deathcore, Grindcore, and MEAN, then look no further. I don’t think there will be a heavier album released this year, specifically one so well recorded and listenable. If you thought Whitechapel had gone soft, think again, they’ve returned with their heaviest release yet. Don’t take my word for it, check it out. Make sure you’re not listening on the phone; you’re going to want to feel this one!

Stands outs – “Hymns in Dissonance”, “Hate Cult Ritual”, “Nothing is Coming for Any Of Us” and “A Visceral Retch”.

~Black Angel