Enterprise Earth have merited a very special place in my Hadean heart, ever since I was one of the privileged writers approached to review the surprise EP ‘Foundation of Bones’ and what a joy that was! Now we have the full album to demolish greedily and first up is that meteoric single ‘Where Dreams Are Broken’ fragrant with the stench of deathcore, setting the scene for what you are about receive.
The video for ‘Reanimate/ Disintegrate’ is an opportunity to witness the unholy trinity of capturing, shackling, and burning, through the mad, mad eyes of singer Dan Watson. The growls at 4.02 and ‘chase you down’ riff at 4.44, well, kill me now. The waft of hate and fear is neatly encapsulated in these songs, open up and inhale those fumes. Replete with a sludgy swagger and choruses to make the angels weep, my friends this is indeed a bold and vigorous journey, treachery is imminent, but our arms are open. Like being slapped in the face with an icicle, the frozen landscape is where dreams are broken. The venal beings are admonished in ‘They Have No Honor’ as we recall how our ancestors ‘bled and died on history pages’ only to have their legacy diminished and disregarded.
We enter Edgar Allan Poe territory I feel in ‘You Couldn’t Save Me’ the swish of the blade is real, the atmosphere of undeniable doom is oppressive, a perfect match for ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’. The flavoursome interlude that is ‘Unhallowed Path’ gives us exquisite serenity before heading into ‘Legends Never Die’ showing the skill in displaying a range of sounds and textures and embracing the emotion instead of being afraid of it.
With riffs safely under the proprietorship of EE for 2022, we welcome the buzzsaw frets, a steely affirmation that Deathcore is here to stay. Raise a glass of something bubbly and salute the snarls and distortion.
There is no creeping up the back stairs here; just blatant and flagrant brick through your window and hanging around like a feisty mongoose to see if there is a reaction. We complete this adventure with ‘Atlas’ quite apt really as it is a symbol of endurance and daring, ‘stars among heroes’ it’s what they are.
Enterprise Earth have thrown down the gauntlet – I can already see a few artists chomping at the bit, for now though let us celebrate the continued, relentless efforts made by our musicians and witness a growing depth and direction in heavy music.
Azra Pathan
Enterprise Earth – The Chosen out now via MNRK Heavy