Tombs is an odd duck and an outfit that’s often overlooked and not nearly praised enough for constantly pushing the boundaries of their sonic palette. One moment you get straight up Post-something Metal from them then the next they’re merging Joy Division and Satyricon in interesting ways. Regardless, whatever Tombs puts out is guaranteed to be an interesting listen.
But I digress.
On their new EP, Mike Hill and the gang delve back into the experimentation that made All Empires Fall so intriguing and inject it with the sheer brutality that The Grand Annihilation offered. The resulting tracks are easily the most refreshing and exhilarating songs Tombs has produced thus far. The title track alone brings back the epic, expansive songwriting explored within AEF‘s “V” and serves as a sister to that EP’s opener “The World is Made of Fire” as well in the way it also pummels. Hill sounds positively possessed one moment while vicious the next, bringing to mind recent outings from Lord Mantis with its’ intensity.
“Once Falls the Shredder” is an aptly titled shred-fest merging Thrash and Black Metal perfectly and highlighting Hill and Matt Medieiros’ six-string speed as Hill adapts a haunting vocal approach to make the track even more menacing. On top of that you have drummer Justin Spaeth’s blast beats penetrating your very being as bassist Drew Murphy’s bass reverberations shake your foundation.
“Necro Alchemy” has those signature guitar screams Tombs is synonymous with and another relentless drum attack from Spaeth. The song is like a fully realized classic Slayer jam recorded today with this massive mechanical breakdown that’s reminiscent of old school Biohazard and New York Hardcore in general.
Elsewhere, “Man Behind the Sun” incessantly slays while “The Dark Rift” is a dark, moody number that shines when it showcases the power of Spaeth and Murphy’s rhythm section before a redux of Path Of Totality‘s title track closes out the mini-album in a fittingly grand fashion.
Monarchy Of Shadows drops on February 28th through Season Of Mist and can be yours by pre-ordering here or here. For more on Tombs, including dates where you can see them on their tour with Napalm Death, head over to the socials by clicking here or here.