Withered Earth: Into the Deepest Wounds

“Into the Deepest Wounds” is the sophomore release from New York death metal outfit Withered Earth. What we have here is a display of old school death metal in vain of Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation and Deicide.

The majority of the songs on “Into the Deepest Wounds” consist of what one would expect to hear on an OSDM album; blast beats, double base kicks and crushing guitar riffs that chug along from song to song. However, that’s not to say that the band simply repeats the same sound throughout the album. I would say that each song indeed has a similar defining sound, one that is created from the tone of the guitar (think classic the tone that anchors Overkill), but there is plenty of variety to be heard on this album.

The guitars, in my opinion, would be the highlight of “Into the Deepest Wounds”. Their sound is the key component that allows the band to alter the tempo of the music though some interesting time changes. For instance, the song “False, Emotion, Strain”, we hear the guitars alternate between a quick, almost tremolo style sound, then switching over to heavier chugging riffs before switching right back again. The transition of sound is immediately detected and one will notice that the song has abruptly changed pace, but it occurs so seamlessly, that it does not deter from enjoying the song. Another example can be heard on “Blinded by Dark Matter Sky”. The song begins with an almost soft, melodic tone and slowly builds into a groovier sounding riff before finally erupting into a fury of guitars and drums at the midway point of the song and carries on until the end. Finally, “Rebellion at Norance” the guitars create an almost industrial sound that remind me of something found on a Machine Head or Skinlab album. The only negative I have to say about the guitar work would be the solos, or lack thereof, as of the few that are spliced into the album, they are very forgettable.

Now, we can’t leave out the drumming, which although I don’t think are on the same level as the guitars, they are nonetheless important to the overall sound. I can’t say that the drums offer anything that will jump out at the listener as unique, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They deliver non-stop energy while assault the listener with relentless blast beats and cymbal crashes, which fits the bill for the sound Withered Earth was trying to achieve.

Vocally, I think, Adam Bonacci did a fine job with his guttural approach, but I would have to say that they fall into the same category as the drums. I won’t say they were bad or dull, as they too, were always in your face and never pushed to the background. But at the end of the day, they don’t offer much in the way of variety as the guitars did. Perhaps, if they could have incorporated some slower paced vocals to accompany the chugging riffs (similar to old Scar Symmetry) they might have stood out little more.

To conclude, I can’t say that “Into the Deepest Wounds” will be making its way into my death metal rotation anytime soon, but there is a few highlight on this album. I was told by a friend that this was a throwaway album and although I did purchase it in the discount bin, I don’t agree with his assessment. I think any fan of the early and mid-90’s death metal explosion will find a few songs worthy of adding to one’s playlist as I have. Although “Into the Deepest Wounds” failed to make a lasting impression, it did however leave me intrigued to hear their much more touted debut “Forgotten Sunrise”.

Highlights: “Supernatural” “False, Emotion, Strain” “Colossus Nebula”

Rating: 2.5